As we get closer to the date of departure (May 22, 2018), many preparations have to be made. For example, paying for the costs of the brigade before the deadline, making sure passports are valid for at least 6 months after departure, gathering hygiene supplies such as shampoo and toothbrushes, signing various waivers, receiving vaccines needed such as the typhoid vaccine, holding fundraising events, learning basic medical terminology in Spanish, learning how to take vitals such as blood pressure, and much more. As the president of Global Medical Brigades at Whittier College, it is my responsibility to make sure all preparations listed above are completed in time for the brigade. Though we have numerous preparations and tasks to complete, I believe we have completed a majority of them and are definitely on track for the brigade in May. It has been extremely tough for me to manage and oversee all the activities of the organization especially because I am a pre-medical student with tough coursework and many other extracurricular activities such as a part-time job as a TA for the mathematics department, weekly shadowing at a physician’s office, volunteer at the emergency department at PIH, and much more. However, throughout my journey with Global Brigades and as the founder/president of the Whittier College chapter, I have learned many lessons and developed many critical skills such as how to delegate and proper time management that allowed me to become a more successful leader and person.
Whittier College Chapter
