Tanzania: Bella Kaplan
Program: UW Health, Education, & Tanzanian Culture, Summer
Bella’s Major: Nutritional Sciences
What is your most memorable experience from your program?
The most memorable experience I had on this program was when we got to see healthcare first-hand and all the discrepancies that come along with it. In the Kilimanjaro region we went to a private… hospital. The minute we stepped into the emergency bay I was shocked. There was no waiting room, traumas were lined up against the walls, and there was no privacy. Our group of 11 walked right into the emergency area without needing to check in or go through any kind of security checkpoint. In the treatment area, patients were lined up extremely close to each other, only a few had privacy curtains. The mattresses were extremely thin and on what was basically a metal sheet. While there we learned there is no emergency system in the country like that of 911 in the United States. This was astonishing. There are very few ambulances but with no emergency number you must go to a hospital to get an ambulance to come to the location of the emergency. This makes emergency, lifesaving medical care extremely inaccessible. Once getting to the hospital you have to pay before you can have any procedure done. If you do manage to make it to the hospital in time, are able to pay for whatever procedure is necessary, there are typically only 2 attending physicians, 1 resident physician and 2 interns who must cover approximately 250 patients every 8 hours (50 patients per doctor). I will never forget the heart-wrenching things I saw and I will always be so very grateful for the standard of healthcare I am entitled to in the United States. This experience was the most memorable as it really called attention to inequalities and made me that much more determined to make a difference in global health and nutrition. I want to be part of the change, people deserve better and I want to help them get there.
My advice to someone who is considering this program is do it. You will have the most life-changing, valuable and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. You will see the world through an entirely new lens and learn so much.
What did you learn about yourself for the world because of your experience?
I learned that the world is a magical, beautiful, fragile and powerful place. I learned to value what I have, to value the people in my life and never take them, things or experiences for granted. I learned that you don’t need objects to be happy, you need people, a community, a family. I learned that hardship brings people together. I was reminded that life changes in a matter of seconds and you must appreciate every moment for what it is, embrace it and hold onto those memories forever. I learned that you always have a place in this world, it’s just a matter of finding it. I learned things I simply cannot put into words.
What is your advice for someone considering your program?
My advice to someone who is considering this program is do it. You will have the most life-changing, valuable and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. You will see the world through an entirely new lens and learn so much. Go to Tanzania, take the jump, push yourself out of your comfort zone and go. Go help students your own age learn about healthy relationships, mental health, sexual health and so many other important topics. Go immerse yourself in another culture, embrace every moment, and hold it in your heart forever. It will change your life in ways you cannot imagine. Just go. Embrace the unknown and appreciate every moment for what it is.