During this week and a half, I shadowed doctors, dentists and pharmacists, took vitals and prepared and led workshops on nutrition and stress management. Although this time had an immense impact on my worldview, I did not feel it was enough. I wanted to immerse myself in a community, develop relationships, perfect the language and understand the people on a more profound level.
Realizing the Peace Corps as an option, I felt pure giddiness. I oscillated a lot after graduating from college between Peace Corps or grad school, but the pull I felt towards Ecuador was undeniable. Peace Corps, for me, was an opportunity to grow as a person and to connect to a local population and create a long-term project, tailored specifically to a community that I had the time to know and care for. It was also an opportunity to hone my Spanish, an invaluable skill as a healthcare provider in San Diego.
