Before this internship, I had an idea of pursuing community health and human development, but I did not give adequate consideration to the much larger scope of this work. My time in Thailand has cemented my passion for global community health, particularly in aging services. Working in direct contact with different communities while managing cultural and linguistic barriers made me realize the importance of customizing healthcare initiatives for distinct populations. Furthermore, the difference in health education and elderly care compared to what I am used to in Thailand sparked my interest in participating in culturally sensitive health programs. While I had imagined my work to be in the United States or Latin America, this exposure made me aware of global trends, which made me want to consider a career encompassing global health, aging services, and community outreach.
Before this internship, I had an idea of pursuing community health development, but I didn't understand the larger scope of this work. My time in Thailand has cemented my passion for global community health, particularly in aging services. Working in direct contact with local communities while managing the cultural and linguistic challenges made me realize the importance of customizing healthcare initiatives for distinct populations.