Looking back on my great experience working with the Navajo people over in Blanding and Monte Zuma Creek, Utah. I was able to greatly increase my understanding of the different cultures that are so close to us and broaden my skills necessary for working in the medical field. 

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It was tough and busy work every day but it was really fulfilling to be able to work all the patients and to learn more about the Navajo people. This type of work really helped because in order to be a successful medical student, one must be accustomed to working all day and really not having any time off during the week (and even weekends too). 

 

One experience in particular that I really enjoy looking back on is when we camped out south of Blanding and listened to the hospital's project overseers mother who was a full Navajo elder. She brewed a sweet tea over the fire while she told of her her heritage and culture. There were so many things I've seen about their culture but never knew the meaning until she sat down with us around the fire and told her stories for several hours. That night really opened my eyes to not only the importance of the Navajo culture but also the importance of being aware of other cultures.