By Fatima Magana '22

SARSTÚN, GT - Travel experiences are great opportunities for students to gain insight into their future careers. Mount Union encourages students to confide in the unknown and explore new cultures. Maddie Mitchell M'25 and Alyssa Yungwirth M’25, physician assistant studies students, traveled to Sarstún, Guatemala, to help cure patients with different health needs.

Mitchell M'25 (left) treating a little girl, and Yungwirth M'25 (right) holding a little boy.

“I treated several patients for allergy-like symptoms, gastrointestinal issues, acute infections, injuries, and chronic pain, much of which stemmed from the physically demanding lifestyles many Guatemalan patients lead,” said Mitchell. 

Before traveling to Sarstún, many PA students completed clinical rotations that helped them understand the different cases they would see. Mitchell, for example, gained experience in emergency medicine, general health, and women’s health.

“I had the privilege of treating a young patient and her mother multiple times during the trip; I became very invested in their care and wanted to ensure they had ongoing support and resources,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell M'25 (far right) and another student treating a patient

Mitchell explained that each patient required different assistance, which allowed Mitchell, Yungwirth, and the rest of the PA students to fully invest in treating people's health needs.

“We encountered many musculoskeletal complaints, which allowed me to apply my orthopedic knowledge, and we saw many children, which allowed me to draw on my experience in pediatrics,” said Yungwirth.

Yungwirth found the cultural differences between America and Guatemala fascinating because she could compare patients' health needs and reactions. 

Yungwirth M'25 treating a little girl

“What struck me the most was the contrast to what I’ve seen in the U.S., where patients can become frustrated if they wait even 20 minutes past their scheduled appointment; in Guatemala, some families hiked miles to reach us, waited for extended periods in makeshift clinics, and still greeted us with smiles and left with a heartfelt ‘Gracias,’” said Yungwirth. 

Mitchell and Yungwirth stated that their nerves about traveling to Guatemala were lessened by constant Spanish lessons and interpreters who traveled with them. Traveling abroad to treat people despite the language barrier was not a hardship for Mount Union's PA students because as professionals in the medical field, serving others is a passion, not a job. Learn more on how you can start your journey as a physician assistant at Mount Union.