International Experiences - Cuba - Medical School Duluth

University of Minnesota Medical School – Duluth Campus students who traveled worldwide to experience healthcare in different countries last summer are launching a discussion of their experiences through a series of unique photo essays. Amanda Noska, second year student, is kicking off the series with an exhibit of her photographic essay, “Cuba,” at the medical school building on the Duluth campus of UMD from January 22 to January 30. Composed of 15 photograph storyboards, Noska’s exhibit will be located in the medical school’s atrium.

"My four-week experience in Cuba was rich, challenging and educational. It has left a deep impression on me, has changed my views on the country and people of Cuba itself, and has enhanced my understanding of the nature of quality medicine,” Noska said. Expanding on how her views of the country changed she added, “The resources Cubans have to work with, the educational status, health, and overall well-being of the people were much different than I expected.”

Noska and 18 other Duluth campus medical students participated in international experiences last summer through Medical Education through Diversity and Service (MEDS). MEDS is a student-run organization that provides opportunities for students to experience healthcare in other countries. Participants increase their cultural awareness by observing and getting involved in community service and medical relief organizations, domestically and internationally. In addition to Noska’s trip to Cuba, 7 students went to Peru, 3 to Brazil, 4 to the Marshall Islands, one each to Chile and Honduras, and 2 to Guatemala.

Started in 2002 on the Duluth campus of the Medical School, MEDS typically sends one-third to one-half of the Duluth campus’ first year class on international summer experiences. Students have visited North and Sound America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. In nearly all cases, visits were made to developing countries. “The MEDS experience is designed to enhance these students’ medical understanding and their ability to adapt to culturally and financially-diverse patient populations. They learn some important universal truths, namely that people are different and need to be treated with cultural sensitivity whether they are in rural Minnesota or in a developing country,” commented Gary Davis, Ph.D., interim senior associate dean.

Students play an active role in planning their travel, which is a learning experience as well, preparing them to independently plan similar experiences later in their medical education or medical careers. The pre-visit planning and international experiences are shared among all students making it a program which reaches, in some way, every student on the Duluth campus. Students also create fundraising events to financially support their trips and seek other philanthropic donations.

Inspiration for sharing the students’ international experiences originated with Glenn Nordehn, D.O. and Fred Hafferty, Ph.D. of the Department of Family Medicine, Duluth campus, who created a teaching and workshop format, Images and Cultures. The format is designed to encourage discussion of experiences with visual imagery, such as photographs, as the focal point. Nordehn is the faculty advisor to MEDS. 15 photographs of her experience in Cuba make up Noska’s presentation.

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International Experiences - Cuba