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Meet the Interns Year-long 2014 Part 1
Name: Clare Lilek
Hometown:Rochester Hills, MI
School:University of Michigan
Major: Women’s Studies and Spanish
How I got involved with MEDLIFE:My beginning involvement with MEDLIFE was a whirlwind. My senior year of college I randomly heard about an upcoming Mobile Clinic trip to Riobamba, Ecuador and on a whim I signed up with only two months until the start date. After that initial commitment, I was in. I was in the MEDLIFE boat.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: I love to travel and explore, yet one of my favorite things to do is curl up on the couch with a good book and a hot cup of tea.
Why did you decide to become an intern?:I’ve known for a while that the “real world” isn’t quite ready for me as much as I’m not ready for it. I didn’t want to immediately go into more schooling or a career right after graduation because I still needed to explore the world. I craved travel and different experiences in the hopes of better informing my future path and goals. After experiencing a MEDLIFE mobile clinic trip first hand in Riobamba, I knew that this type of work is what I would want to do during my year off. Be in a different country, speak a foreign language, meet some inspirational people, and work for something that is larger and greater than myself.
Name: Julie Ma
Hometown:Topeka, Kansas
School: Emporia State University
Major:Biochemistry and Spanish
How I got involved with MEDLIFE:Prior to receiving this internship, I had no experience with MEDLIFE. I wanted to serve somewhere in Latin America and after researching online and coming across MEDLIFE, I knew I wanted to be a part of their mission and contribute as an intern.
Why did you decide to become an intern?:It’s a great opportunity to help those truly in need, gain practical skills doing something I love, and travel!
Tell us a little bit about yourself: I am currently a senior and am interested in pursuing a career related to health. Wanting to get out of my comfort zone and Kansas, I studied abroad in South America last summer and realized how much travelling changed me for the better. Since then, I try to take every opportunity possible to help communities in need, specifically in health. In my free time, I love trying new foods, travel every chance I get, and the beach!
Name: Laura McClung
Hometown:Leawood, Kansas
School: University of Southern California
Major:Biological Sciences, Minor in Spanish
How I got involved with MEDLIFE: I got involved with Medlife the summer after my freshman year when two friends asked if I wanted to go on a trip to Tena, Ecuador to see what Medlife was about. We were inspired by the work that Medlife does and thought that other USC students would be as well, so we went back to school that fall and started USC’s Medlife chapter.
Why did you decide to become an intern?: After I went on my first clinic to Tena in 2011, I wound up attending two more mobile clinics to Lima, and I knew that I wanted to return someday to devote a more extended period of my time to Medlife’s cause. The internship seemed a perfect way for me to learn more about how global medical non-profits function, while living abroad for a year, and helping to provide Medicine, Education, and Development to communities in need in the slums of Lima.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: While I spent most of my time in college participating in pre-med-related activities, my two favorite things are food and music. I grew up playing the cello, and I love trying any and all kinds of food, so living in Lima will provide an exciting opportunity to discover all sorts of new food and music!
This trip motivated me more to pursue a career in the healthcare field so that I can use my resources to help those who need it the most, similar to MEDLIFE’s mission.
Victoria DiCanio
University of Connecticut
It was most enjoyable to finish the hard work and see how big a difference a group of individuals can make. It was such an amazing experience.
Anita Woo
University of Toronto
I enjoyed the mobile clinics the most, especially the dental and triage portions. I would definitely recommend a MEDLIFE trip, it was a great experience.
David Saff
Maclay High School
The most enjoyable part of my trip was hanging out with the amazing group of kids I was with. I would highly recommend a MEDLIFE volunteer trip to others.
Sydney Sansone
Nova Southeastern University
This trip made everything that I was learning in my public health courses come to life and immersed me in a new culture while also learning about medicine.
Abygail Youmans
College of Charleston
Being involved with MEDLIFE is not like joining another club - its bigger than that. It is about joining a movement that seeks to help change people’s quality of life for forever.
Emi Hofmann
University of Central Florida
Not only was I able to participate in a week long Mobile Clinic, shadowing doctors of all types of specialties including pharmacy, dentistry, gynecology, and more, but I was also able to learn about the culture and visit incredible places.
Julian Takagi-Stewart
University of Toronto
One thing that I really loved about this trip was that MEDLIFE made sure that the volunteers got an understanding of the complexity of issues that lead to underprivileged people in communities outside of the main city
Hannah Van Hofwegen
University of Ottawa
Whether it was basketball with the local kids, assisting the doctors, talking with families, building washrooms, holding babies, or spending time with the people who were on the SLT with me, this was an amazing opportunity that I would do over and over again.
Isabelle Holt
Cornell University
I loved learning about the patients MEDLIFE has followed and how they offer real help to people with chronic/urgent conditions. It is amazing how the organization formed real connections with the communities.
Valerie Lindeborg
Parent
Our family had the privilege of participating in multiple trips with Nick [founder] and his amazing staff. Their expertise made the trips unforgettable while instilling in my boys the fundamentals of good character: selflessness, compassion, and empathy.
Harry Vildibill
University of Georgia
As an aspiring physician, MEDLIFE motivated me to further continue my goal of becoming a doctor. In fact, I enjoyed the Tanzania Service Learning Trip so much that I decided to go on another trip to Cusco, Peru.