Day 6: Cultural Awareness

 Today I demonstrated respect for cultural differences by allowing members of the community to teach me about their culture and traditions. Instead of only observing, I participated in activities with them. I helped carve a stone, joined a birthday celebration with a piñata, Panamanian candy and cake, and even sang the birthday song in Spanish. I also purchased a beautiful necklace and bird accessories made by local artisans. These moments helped me appreciate the culture and feel more connected to the community. I did not experience any major ethical tensions, but I did realize that one assumption I had was that most Latino cultures were very similar. Through this experience, I learned that although there are similarities, every country has its own unique traditions, values, and ways of life. Panama’s culture stood out to me through the strong sense of community, celebration, and pride in their local crafts and traditions. Delivering care with limited resources was very eye opening. In the dental clinic we provided care without proper lighting or all the equipment we would normally have. We did the best we could because people in the community needed help, but it also made me aware of the risks when resources are limited, such as challenges maintaining ideal sterile conditions. This experience expanded my understanding of health disparities. It became clear that access to healthcare here often depends on financial resources. Many people cannot receive consistent care unless volunteer clinics like ours are present. Seeing this made me reflect on healthcare in the United States. Even though we have many resources, costs can still prevent people from receiving care. When I return to my clinical settings, I will think more critically about how healthcare systems can better balance resources, cost, and access to care for everyone.

Xoxo 💋