Orihuela N

Language: English
References: 0
Page: 52
PDF size: 74.77 Kb.

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At first I was skeptical about the opportunity for international candidates to study medicine for free in Cuba. Did the land of son cubano, cigars and sugar have the resources to host thousands of young men and women aspiring to get their medical degree? I was acquainted with the history of the country, and the prospect intrigued me. Having grown up in Mexico City and been raised by progressive parents, I had heard about Cuba´s health care system and educational model. After finishing my undergraduate degree in California, I started scouting for medical colleges that advocated a holistic approach to medicine.
This search led me to Havana’s Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), an international medical school founded to train doctors devoted to practice in vulnerable, underserved communities. The Cuban government makes a global humanitarian commitment by providing full, six-year scholarships to train individuals from these same communities. After inquiring into the program, I did not hesitate. I applied and was accepted. It has become one of the most enriching experiences of my life.