Mexico Fieldwork Experiences

Discovering the world and positively impacting vulnerable communities can be a transformative experience. In my current adventure, I find myself in Mexico City, specifically at Clínica Especializada Condesa, a safe space for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS that provides comprehensive care, treatment, and support. My time at Clínica Especializada Condesa in Mexico City has been transformative, and gain insight into the different departments and roles, including medical, counseling, and outreach teams. From assisting at the clinic to witnessing the collaborative efforts with partner organizations and the formation of a new partnership with a refugee center, I have been privileged to be part of a movement that empowers and supports vulnerable individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Through this blog post, I hope to shed light on the tremendous work at Clínica Especializada Condesa and inspire others to make a difference in their communities.

Mexico City is a vibrant metropolis that captivates visitors with its rich culture, historical landmarks, and bustling atmosphere. Amidst the diverse array of activities and attractions, one aspect stands out—its culinary scene. My time in Mexico City has been a gastronomic adventure filled with delightful encounters, cultural immersion, and memorable experiences. As a caffeine lover, one of my favorite activities is discovering the city’s thriving coffee scene, from specialty brews to cozy ambiance, as my roommate and I explored different coffee shops. From exploring coffee shops and bakeries to indulging in the vibrant markets and savoring the tranquility of the parks, I have discovered the heart and soul of the city through its diverse flavors and lively atmosphere. However, something my roommate and I enjoy more than anything is highlighting the simple pleasure of enjoying nature’s bounty by sitting in the parks, relishing fresh and exotic fruits, and immersing ourselves in the tranquility of Mexico City’s green spaces.

During my internship, I embarked on an exciting journey of professional growth and exploration by working in the clinic and assisting during field outreach. Working alongside a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment, I have had the privilege to delve into various aspects of my field and make meaningful contributions, especially when working with high rates of Haitians migrating to Mexico. From day one, I eagerly embraced every opportunity to learn, adapt, and apply my knowledge through experience, literature, and applying methods and theories learned from my MPH CHS courses and MSW program. As a result, I have gained invaluable hands-on experience in areas such as project management, data analysis, and strategic planning. The exposure to diverse projects and the chance to contribute meaningfully to the team’s success have nurtured my passion for this field and solidified my career aspirations. I am grateful for the opportunities provided during this internship, and the lessons learned will serve as a solid foundation for my future endeavors.

I recently set off on an amazing journey that took me to Mexico City, a dynamic and captivating city. After my first two weeks here, the rich tapestry of customs and the profound passion for Mexican art that penetrates every area of life have me in amazement. The vibrant murals and mansions that line the streets give each one of Mexico’s neighborhoods a historic atmosphere.

The city is much larger than I ever anticipated and getting around has proven to be the greatest challenge. The different neighborhoods of Mexico City are like towns of their own Polanco, Roma Norte, Condesa (where I work at the specialty clinic), Benito Juarez (where I’m residing), Tlalpan (where the public health institute is) and Coyocan have completely different feelings like they are worlds of their own. Despite this, I have adjusted to Mexican life relatively quickly the language and culture are very familiar. The hardest part— remembering the words for different types of food!

I know sometimes that I am away from home because I am hyper-aware here that I am black. There are few black people in Mexico and most of them are Haitians. I feel the stares as I go around the city, and I feel relief when I can talk to some of the Haitian families that I was able to work with at the refugee housing center.  Despite my limited French-speaking ability both the refugees and I are both happy to see each other for a few hours each week. I hope that my discomfort fads as I spend more time here. But either way, I will continue to enjoy my time in the city to its fullest. I eagerly await the adventures that lie ahead, excited to discover more about this captivating country its artistic wonders and its cuisine.

It has been a few weeks since I moved to Mexico, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible experiences and discoveries that this country has offered me. As I settled into my new life, one aspect that quickly became the anchor of my routine was the delicate balance between work, exploration, and the joy of building relationships with the local community.

From Monday to Thursday, my days revolve around work, just as they did back home. However, the Mexican work culture brought a refreshing change, emphasizing the value of taking breaks and savoring the little moments. One of my favorite rituals has become visiting the multitude of museums and cultural sites around the city. Each week I go to one or two different neighborhoods and explore what they have to offer and people-watch in the park.

Amidst my expeditions, I have stumbled upon a coffee shop and a barbeque place that have become routine visits. I try to go to different places, but I find myself eating here twice a week for breakfast and then lunch. Through these visits, I have developed real relationships with the baristas at the coffee shop and the servers at the restaurant. We know about each other’s lives and the best part— they know what I am going to order.

I am experiencing a storm of emotions as my seven-week internship in Mexico comes to an end. Bidding farewell to a country that has received me with open arms and given me life-changing experiences is bittersweet. While I’m ready to get back to my house in America, I can’t help but think about the things I’ll miss the most and the occasions I can’t wait to have when I do.

First and foremost, I will deeply miss the warm and vibrant culture of Mexico — the murals, the colorful homes and clothing, and the delicious food. I will miss the simplicity of grabbing a delicious meal from a taco stand or enjoying a leisurely meal with my roommate. Whether it was wandering through the vibrant streets of Mexico City, exploring ancient ruins, or visiting stunning natural landscapes, there was always something captivating to discover. On the other hand, as I prepare to return to America, I find myself yearning for familiar comforts and experiences. Most notably I look forward to having AC and drinking water from the tap.

The relationship I have with this magnificent country will continue when I leave Mexico. My worldview will always be shaped by the experiences I’ve had and the lessons I’ve learnt.

I have been here for a few weeks, but it still feels absolutely surreal to be in Ciudad de Mexico (CDMX) to complete my APE! My preceptor from the Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica (INSP), matched me with la Clínica Especializada Condesa. The clinic specializes in preventing, detecting, and treating various STIs within marginalized communities free of charge. It also provides specialized medical resources to LGBTQ patients. I am rotating with various medical professionals to learn about the public health system and its implications.

My first rotation was with one of the two gynecologists working in the clinic. Most cases were STI+ patients who needed to start care, were continuing care, or needed closer monitoring (e.g., pregnancy). Many treatments consisted of procedures done in the clinic.

I am now rotating with the psychologist who sees all the victims of sexual assault. He is responsible for obtaining a report regarding the event and identifying the victim’s needs. I had exposure to these cases in gynecology, but it was not as in-depth with details. Although I have learned a lot during the rotation, these cases can be very difficult to hear.

My preceptor invited us to visit two migrant albergues (shelters), Casa Fuente and Sin Fronteras. Migrant health/advocacy is another of my interests, so it was an amazing experience to learn about other organizations. The shelter coordinators discussed that services include psychological support, financial aid, referral and accompaniment to medical services, legal aid, and much more. They have encountered many challenges throughout the years, from handling the government to the COVID pandemic. Overall, the workers have an immense passion for their work and do a fantastic job at providing high-quality support to a marginalized population in Mexico.

Mural in the Sin Fronteras albergue. This shelter aims to provide services to all types of migrants.

Mural in the Sin Fronteras albergue. The bottom says, “Nadie En El Mundo Es Ilegal,” which translates to “Nobody in the World in Illegal.” This shelter focuses on providing services to migrant women and children.

This is my first time in Mexico and the beauty of CDMX is hard not to love. It is bursting with locations to experience the beautiful culture and delicious food.

There are hundreds of food stands throughout the city. They are practically available 24/7 with a variety of food to choose from. Most are stand-only, so people crowd around the cart, while others may have some seating available. Regardless, the general rule when choosing a stand is to go with the one with more people. I finally had the chance to try chilaquiles de mole and they were delicious!!

Chilaquiles de mole from “Chillakillers.” This was a must-try recommendation from the psychologist, and I am so glad I did! No others that I have tried can compare. I think I will forever dream of this restaurant.

Public transportation is virtually accessible throughout the city. However, I have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather to walk to and from the clinics. As a lover of plants, I appreciate the luscious tropical greenery lining the streets. They also protect from the hot sun and pouring days.

One of my favorite plants I own back home is the monstera deliciosa. I enjoy seeing these enormous leaves flourishing in CDMX.

My recent rotations have taken place in the sister clinic in the Iztapalapa municipality in CDMX, about an hour commute using public transportation. It is bigger and newer than the Condesa clinic, allowing it to serve more people and provide more services, mainly for the LGBTQ+ community.

I rotated with both gynecologists working in the clinic. There is more variety in cases despite being in the same position as in Condesa. The gynecological care is comparable to the Condesa clinic, with a higher emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community.

I developed a very good relationship with the doctors and nurses. They continuously explained the steps being taken and were always open to questions. There were a few complex cases that highlighted the remarkable interprofessional relationships in the clinic. There is clear and constant communication to ensure the best course of action is taken for the patient.

My latest rotation has been back in the Condesa clinic with the Counseling Department. This is where most new patients are first triaged to the appropriate services. The counselors obtain basic information, health history, order STI testing, and ask what the patient is at the clinic for. Follow-up appointments are scheduled for patients who take HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to monitor adherence and check for other needs.

My improvement in navigating CDMX and the power of social media has made it possible to freely explore the city without heavily depending on guided tours.

We took an excursion to Desierto de los Leones or the Desert of Lions. The tranquility was a nice break from the bustling sounds of CDMX. After touring a convent on site and completing one of the hiking trails, the rain had us scurrying to the food stands to avoid the downpour. We enjoyed delicious café de olla and champurrado while waiting out the storm.

A local friend of ours took us to Torre Latinoamericana, a skyscraper in CDMX that is a popular attraction. Once at the tower, we learned that the tower had survived two major earthquakes despite surrounding structures being severely damaged (Historia, n.d.). Thus, its engineering and architecture are considered extremely remarkable.

On our way to the Torre Latinoamericana, we stumbled upon CDMX’s Chinatown. It was interesting to see this area’s fusion of Mexican and Chinese culture.

Times flies! I have completed my last few rotations at the clinics. I rotated with the Coordination Department of the clinic in Condesa. The coordinators act in part like case workers. They assess what a patient may need, refers them to the appropriate department of the clinic or other organization, provide some essentials, and offer accompaniment throughout the clinic. The department is also responsible for the clinic’s mobile clinic.

On my first day, I traveled with their mobile clinic to a part of CDMX with a high homeless population. The mobile clinic provides quick 15-minute STI tests (i.e., HIV, Hepatitis C, syphilis). A specialized worker delivers results and refers positive cases to the clinics for further testing and treatment. The vehicle is usually located outside the Condesa clinic but travels to other areas when the community requests.

A local religious organization had requested the mobile clinic to be in this area for the day. Tents and seating are set outside the van to create more waiting and testing areas. The clinic had also partnered with Doctors Without Borders to advertise the organization’s services.

I spent the remaining days in Coordination shadowing one of the workers inside the clinic. I believe I saw the most variety of patients during this rotation. Dozens of patients visit every day seeking aid from the department. Homeless people seek food, clothes, or advice on their situation. Incapacitated patients are accompanied throughout the clinic to ensure appropriate care is given. Workers collaborate with community-based organizations (CBOs) to asses how the clinic can support them and offer workshops to present at meetings. Coordination is also the go-to department to triage shelters that bring in patients for care.

My final rotation was with the sub-director of the Iztapalapa clinic. I thought I would be sitting in his office next to him the entire time while he worked on his computer. However, I was completely wrong! The director was continuously running around the clinic, advising workers with complex cases, seeing patients himself, and discussing next steps with other departments. He also spent time with me to explain more in-depth the structures and processes of both clinics. He focuses on his administrative duties throughout the day but mainly holds them off once clinic hours are over.

We tried to get as much done as possible during our last few weeks! We figured out how to take a microbus from CDMX to the Teotihuacán pyramids (pictured above). The round trip was very affordable and access to the pyramids was free with our student IDs.

After exploring the entire park, we walked the short distance to eat at La Gruta. This unique restaurant is located in a cave with brightly colored seating areas lit by candles.

We finally visited the Bosque de Chapultepec or Forest of Chapultepec. It is an archeological zone with several historical landmarks, museums, and activities.

We hiked up to the Castillo de Chapultepec, a historical castle sitting on top of one of the highest hills.

While roaming Bosque de Chapultepec, we learned of a Folkórico performance hosted by the Palacio de Bellas Artes.

We were fortunate that tickets were still available for this popular event! The performance was absolutely beautiful!

I was very lucky that my birthday still aligned with my time in Mexico! I traveled to Guadalajara for a few days to experience a different side of the country.

Back in CDMX, my friends surprised me with a birthday cake!

The last few days were jam-packed with places we wanted to visit before leaving. Coincidentally, our last stop was the Ángel de Independencia, the monument that welcomed us on our first day. These are some friends with whom I shared many adventures in CDMX. It was bittersweet knowing it was our last day, but we made the best of it!

It was a privilege to have completed my APE in Mexico! I am extremely grateful to the Clinícas Especializada Condesa and Iztapalapa for welcoming me. I really appreciate all the professionals I worked with for providing an enriching experience by discussing the various cases, dissecting pertinent public health topics, and answering my copious questions. Overall, it is abundantly clear that workers are passionate about providing the highest level of care for their patients. I constantly heard patients express their gratitude for the clinic and the workers.

I gained a richness of knowledge regarding the public health system of CDMX. Using the data collected, I plan to apply the Social Ecological Model to assess the complex relationships from individuals to policy. I also plan to create a descriptive report of the clinics. It will describe their purpose, goals, target populations, protocols, etc.

Culture, food, and lots of public health action!! Ciudad de México has been nothing short of a combination of all these enriching experiences. I still have much more to discover, but there is nothing like being able to capture moments on every corner and enjoying a delicious taco in the meantime. Within the past few weeks, I have been able to discover and learn about many new things, mostly on my own, and some with guided direction. Mexico City is filled with culture, and this includes international culture as well! Within our first week in Mexico City, we ran into a bakery known as Pastelería Suiza, that’s right, a Switzerland-based bakery! In this particular bakery, it’s extremely dangerous to arrive on an empty stomach because everything looks absolutely ready for me to enjoy, especially the sweet treats made with nata, oh how I love it here!

One of my favorite and go-to taco spots is this stand on the corner of a busy walking street, their tacos are big! You only need one taco de bistek with a handmade tortilla, and you have the choice of adding nopales or papas on top, whatever your preference is. As far as street food goes, it’s almost a requirement to eat your food at the stand standing for better results. This taco is so filling, breakfast or lunch, you’re ready to conquer the rest of your day’s journey!

The views in Mexico City are everywhere!! You take a right on the next corner and you’re unexpectedly in a perfect position for such a relaxing and beautiful view. Architecture is everywhere, it’s people’s homes, the buildings downtown, and even in the park, there’s a little architecture and view everywhere you pass!

On an academic note, I had the opportunity to join my peers in their visit to a Migrant home here in Mexico City! The work they do here is astounding and completely filled with passion for helping Migrant families have access to safe spaces and the resources necessary for them to move forward. It is a complete honor to have been able to be in that space and see first-hand the hard work and community they have embodied in this home! Depicted below is a piece of a mural painted inside the home by international women showing their gratitude for the home.

I also have been having the opportunity of meeting with my preceptor at the Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP) at least once a week here in Tlalpan, Mexico City. The campus is dedicated to serving those involved in public health. Here is a front view of one of the many buildings at the Instituto.

In continuation of more culture and food, I have had the gracious opportunity of visiting the Virgen de Guadalupe here in Mexico City, where she is presently on display at the Cathedral, it is always such an honor to pay her a visit! A completely unique and breathtaking experience.

I recently also got introduced to a tire shop in the day, turned absolutely amazing taco stand in the evening and through the night! Three big trompos de pastor with tons of people waiting for their delicious combination of tacos, vampiros, quesadillas, you name it! The experience is everything, and the tacos even better!! Can’t wait to go back soon.

El Ángel de la Independencia is one of my favorite sights to see here in Mexico City, it’s the epitome of a busy round-a-bout but stands so beautifully at any hour of the day! I happened to be there the day/night before they celebrated pride here in Mexico City, so seeing the transition in the nighttime of the lights shining on the Ángel was a really beautiful sight to see! Below is a before and after with the lights.

My time here has been filled with unexpected journeys; this includes the infamous rain season that can really make its appearance without notice at times! However, as rainy as it looks, the days here are still filled with sun and bright experiences.

Tacos, beautiful scenery, lots of cultural events, and more tacos!!!

Ciudad de México is filled with all of this and so much more! I do my best to try a new taco stand every time, and more especially, I try my best to choose a stand with the most people in line! Immediately, I ask the person in front of me their favorites at the stand, and from there I can see more or less in which direction I should go. These tacos in the picture are from the same sunny day that brought over rain later in the evening at a famous national park known as “El Desierto de Los Leones.” Granted, it translates to the desert of the lions, both of which are untrue, and instead it is a beautiful forest filled with lots of greenery along with a church in between it all. I highly recommend checking this forest out, it was a very peaceful day away from the city and without access to cell service, a real disconnection that we oftentimes need.

On another cultural adventure, I was able to discover the Chinatown located here in Mexico City, filled with extra culture and many Chinese traditions with a little Mexican touch to it as well. We tried these “pan dulce’s al vapor” or “bao” and they had so many different and unique flavors, I was craving the Nutella one but there was no more at the moment, and depicted in the picture is my matcha flavored pan dulce al vapor.

During this same trip, we went to the top of La Torre Latinoamerica, all the way to the 37^th floor with a panoramic view of the city, absolutely breathtaking to say the least! It was very noteworthy to learn how this very building has withstood all the biggest earthquakes Mexico City has encountered, a truly remarkable building!

Xochimilco, is a place I only ever dreamed of visiting and seeing for myself. It was absolutely beautiful to say the least! Being on a small riverboat going through a 2-hour tour of the river with other boats passing filled with happy people, lively music of all kinds, and lots of beautiful scenery!! A dream come true to visit this remarkable location filled with so much positive energy.

Free concerts at the park were only a few bus stops away! These are musical groups that I have been wanting to see live for so long, and to find out they were playing here at one of the local parks for free was perfect!

I also had the opportunity to see another one of my favorite artists perform and record their Youtube video live! All of these concerts completely unexpected, and absolutely free, I still can’t believe it myself!

Speaking of free, being a student in Mexico City has come with its many cultural perks! Being able to visit so many cultural aspects of Mexico City for free has been possible with the fortune of having a student ID. Getting to the pyramids of Teotihuacan was a very affordable cost, and getting inside the park to visit the pyramids and the museums was free with a student ID. The pyramids were remarkable, and to think that they have been there since the 1^st century is still something so astounding to me! It was such a beautiful day filled with beautiful clouds to help capture the essence of the pyramids.

Visiting museums is generally free on Sundays for the most part here in Mexico City, but nonetheless, they are free for students in general. Visiting El Castillo de Chapultepec was a breathtaking experience filled with another panoramic view of the city. To see for myself a forest in the middle of the city was so beautiful! I have been enjoying all of these cultural adventures here in the city, and I still cannot believe my time is coming to an end soon. Nonetheless, I am still taking on different adventures every day, and grateful for every opportunity!

Culture can be found all throughout Mexico City!

We had the opportunity to experience a night at the Palacio de Bellas Artes to watch the most beautiful Ballet Folklórico show! It was filled with so much skill, talent, and expertise. It was impossible to take your eyes off the show at any point. The way they managed to capture the beautiful essence of Folklórico throughout the show was remarkable. Depicted also is a picture from the aftermath of the show with a view of the Palacio de Bellas Artes at night. This is a view I especially never got tired of seeing at any hour of the day.

Going to visit Taxco, Guerrero only seemed as if it would be a dream. But from one moment to the next, we were able to catch a 3-hour bus ride to see this magical and beautiful Ciudad de Plata for ourselves! Fortunately, we caught the bus with a student-discounted rate as it is the summertime. It was a short but very successful trip as it was filled with so many mesmerizing views from every angle! I could not get enough of this city and its peacefulness. I would love to visit Taxco again.

Aerial view of Taxco

Street view of Taxco

Visiting the Zocalo was as surreal as it gets! I remember growing up watching important announcements, Independence Day, Inaugurations, New Year’s Eve, and so many more special events take place from here. The Mexican flag stands proud and tall in the center of it all, and with the perfect wind, the view is nothing short of amazing.

I happened to finally make it inside some culturally enriching museums in my wind down in Mexico City. All of which happened to be free courtesy of a student ID. It was an honor and pleasure to capture these moments and enjoy these museums as a student in Mexico City.

Depicted is a piece from the Museo de Bellas Artes.

A piece from the Museo de Arte Popular reflecting a tree of life.

A very special soccer game, to say the least, was a part of my last nights in Mexico City! In attendance for their first night playing for the home team was an international soccer player known as Dani Alves. He has brought over a lot of noise to the Mexican soccer league, and it was an honor to attend first game here in the city! Lots of exciting energy and clear skies on a day filled with rain.

When we first got to Mexico City, we immediately visited El Ángel de Independencia. To wrap up our last day in the city, we happened to unintentionally visit the Ángel one last time. Depicted is a special picture to capture a special moment with friends that experienced Mexico City with me throughout many different adventures! A very bittersweet and happy moment, an absolute dream being able to complete my APE in Mexico City these past 2 months, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to do so!

During my APE, I worked with the Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP) to analyze data collected from a National Survey of Health and Nutrition (ENSANUT) conducted in 2021. The preceptors I worked with assisted me with my STATA software skills through quantitative data analysis. Considering the data I analyzed and adhering to my personal public health interests, I researched the prevalence of cesarean sections, with a particular emphasis on emergency versus non-emergency cesarean sections. The overarching aim of my contribution to INSP was to create this analysis as a report based on the social determinants and health-related risk factors associated with a high prevalence of non-emergency cesarean sections.

I gained much more knowledge and skills from this experience than I could have anticipated, I am truly grateful for having had this opportunity. With this experience, I could also incorporate my data analysis into completing my ILE work as it influenced the product I produced. Being able to work on a project that was completely driven by my interests with the guidance of the preceptors I got paired up with, was much more than I expected. Having a project focusing on my interest in cesarean section deliveries has allowed me to gain even more interest in the prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum processes. I hope to build my public health career goals surrounding global public health issues pertaining to addressing and assessing inequities among pregnant persons in different low-resourced communities.

I’ve never been to Mexico City or spent any time in Mexico other than a few hours near Tijuana so both the International AIDS Society (IAS) 2019 conference and the city were interesting to see.

The conference was attended by 5000 people and took place at the Centro Citibanamex – a large convention center overlooking a racetrack and located more than 5 miles from my hotel. Although the distance was far, it allowed for interesting views of the city during the long crawls through traffic. Among the highlights of the conference was information about where the treatment of HIV is heading. There are new drugs and novel ways of delivering treatment that may lead to cost savings, smaller pill size, and better long-term tolerability. Relatively long-term follow-up (96-week) data were presented for people who have been receiving an injectable form of antiretroviral therapy (cabotegravir with rilpivirine). When licensed, injectable antiretroviral medication like this combination will allow persons at risk for and infected with HIV to have the option of getting an injection every one or two months rather than taking pills daily to prevent or treat HIV. The safety data was encouraging. Other generally relevant information that caught my eye or made news included the evolution of therapy from one pill three drug combinations to a two drug combination. These two-pill drugs have been getting licensed recently and it won’t be surprising to hear about many patients who are stable on three drug regimens getting switched to these two drug pills if they are accompanied with cost savings. Also, an important antiretroviral, dolutegravir, was the subject of research that was presented at this meeting because previous research demonstrated an unacceptably high incidence of neural tube defects in infants born to mothers taking the drug. This threatened the drug’s use in PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and treatment of HIV in women. However, research presented at this meeting revealed that with further study the incidence is lower than initially reported. This subject area will undoubtedly continue to be an important area of follow-up.  Also of interest was research on an implantable form of PrEP. This research was in a very early stage (Phase 1) but it is promising that there may be options for PrEP that can help overcome incomplete adherence to pills.

I didn’t have time to enjoy the city as a tourist as I spent nearly all of my free time working on manuscript drafts and grant research. However, I did get to walk around a nice craft market called Artesanias Cuidalela. Most of it is housed inside a walled area and there are hundreds of stalls. Also, ironically, I got food poisoning on this trip! Given that I teach about this topic and am very familiar with prevention, it was no small disappointment for me that this happened. On my flight to Mexico City, I was seated next to a senior infectious disease physician who has traveled to Mexico many times. He reassured me that the food and water at my western chain hotel (even the ice) was safe. With that reassurance, I boldly ate delicious marinated strips of meat and vegetables with hot corn tortillas and guacamole at the restaurant on our lobby floor. I delighted in the fresh cilantro, green and red peppers, and the green chile sauce. I even splurged on a glass of lemonade and didn’t mind that it came with ice. It was all so good I returned there the next day since why bother going anywhere else when the food was exceptional. My second visit I sampled a chicken dish in a delicious molé that had chocolate, banana, nuts, and bread crumbs in its recipe. I made plans to return again and try something else. Being alone and feeling tired, I ended up eating all my meals at the hotel whether in their other restaurant or from room service. I prided myself on foiling the plans of the E. coli or Campylobacter that might have been lying in wait for me as revenge for all the years I had spoken badly of them to students in my outbreak class. Yet by day 3 of my 5-day visit, cramping abdominal pain began and so did other things that are unnecessary to mention. The symptoms lasted the remainder of my stay and, to put it mildly, changed my priorities. At check out from my hotel, I alerted the man working the front desk. “Where did you eat?” he asked. “At all your restaurants,” I explained. “I ate twice at this one across the lobby,” I said pointing to it. Then he pulled out the wild card of the trip. “Oh, that is not one of our restaurants. It is just connected to our lobby.” Wow! Well – that lesson was learned the hard way.

And truth be told, those E. coli were delicious!

This week there was a forum on immigration at the Mexican senate in Mexico City. I was in attendance with my PI, Dr. Infante, as expert panelists discussed perspectives and challenges surrounding migration today. These panelists came from varied backgrounds and institutions from within and outside of Mexico. However, not one panelists touched upon the topic of migrant health in any capacity much to our surprise, especially with the accusations of abuse dominating both the US and Mexican news outlets. This Friday we’ll be going back to Mexico City to attend another forum at the National Institute of Immigration, where we believe the discussion will be more focused on the well being Central American and Mexican migrants.

But it isn’t all work! Last weekend I took a bus down to Puebla and ate a ton of churros, cemitas, pozole, and was able to explore the colonial city, museums, and the famous Africam Safari Zoo. The buses here are relatively cheap and very accessible, so exploring more of Mexico is on my to-do list every weekend.

This week has been a lot of putting theory into practice in the office as we get ready to publish a few papers and start a few more. My PI would like to have me get into some field work in Las Casas del Migrante (Migrant Shelters) near the end of this month, so we’ve been listening to previous interviews and discussing informal interview tactics. I’m excited that I might have the opportunity to interview people during their migration through Mexico, towards the United States. And the discussion and practice with experienced figures in public health has really helped develop skills that I can use in the future.

Otherwise, my PI and his wife took me to eat Pozole yesterday. I’m enjoying eating out in Cuernavaca, trying foods like carnitas, tacos, pozole, cecina, chalupas, ensaladas de fruta, and so much natural ice-cream. The apartment complex I’m staying at has a beautiful dog named Maya who visits me. And this weekend I’ll be going to a natural spring that’s famous for waterfalls and a swimmable river with a few friends that I made here at the INSP. It’s supposed to be one of the many wonders of Mexico, so I’m excited!

This weekend a few friends and I went to Las Estacas National Park here in Morelos. It’s a natural spring that produces tons of water to fill a 2km long river around a semi-tropical park. There were so many different types of birds and waterfowl, fish, and reptiles that we could see while swimming around. It was beautiful, and while there we ran into a few other international students from INSP who showed us an easy and cheap way ($4 for 1.5 hour travel) to return to Cuernavaca. The food was great, the water was refreshing, and it was a small paradise surrounded by fields of sugarcane and corn. If you come to Cuernavaca with SPH, you need to come here.

Last week I had volunteered to create a diagram for my PI since the previous one lacked clarity and was difficult to comprehend. Today is Monday, and I got great news! His co-investigators thought it was perfect, so it’s going to get published! I believe that it will be in a journal, as well as a magazine that they’ll print here. So, I hope to get a copy to show to my parents. Otherwise, this week we’re working on protocols, a few transcriptions and revisions, and attending meetings to discuss the possibility of upcoming field work. It should be a fun week!

This past weekend I took a bus to Taxco, Guerrero, a small town known as the Silver City. They had hundreds of small ‘puestos’ full of silver artisans and merchants where you could buy rings for as little as 2 dollars, and the ticket to get there for 3 dollars with a student ID discount. The taxis are VW beetles from the 1980s-90s, the food and fruit were delicious, and there are natural treasures spread throughout the surrounding mountains.

Blue lagoons with dozens of waterfalls, caves, old silver mines, tiny wooden and rope bridges, swimmable rivers, and fruit trees all over. Avocado and lime straight off the branches for a snack.

In the office on Monday, I worked on editing a paper on sexual violence with transcriptions from before. This has been great experience to learn more about the publishing process and the editorial process to produce a quality paper. Furthermore, my skills in professional written Spanish have been improving daily, with my PI noticing the change in this short time I’ve been here. This week has been very relaxed, with daily office work, a few meetings, and many people here getting ready for vacation. This upcoming weekend I’ll be going to Oaxaca, one of my favorite places in Mexico, and the state with the best cuisine, to get a bit of my own vacation.

I am currently on day three of having dinner cooked for me by new friends in Mexico. No offense to Chicagoans, but I have never experienced hospitality like this in my life. Nearly everyone I’ve met has offered to have me over to their house, or to have a coffee or dinner. I am especially grateful for these invitations since I am in a country where I don’t know anyone and am not fluent in the language. This extreme hospitality also has the added effect of making me feel like an imbecile in this category, all of my manners seem to pale in comparison. Is bringing a store bought dessert over enough or should I learn to make soufflés?

There have been a lot of things to get used to in Cuernavaca, and it is hard to not compare things here to Chicago. This is particularly true with elements of public health, since I have only studied and worked in public health in Chicago. One thing I find interesting is the diversity of types of homes in the neighborhoods. In Chicago, health related statistics are often recorded by neighborhood. There is a large amount of variability in these statistics, even between neighborhoods that are only a few blocks or miles apart. In Cuernavaca, the neighborhoods have a variety of types of homes. Often, you can assume the social status of the owner based on the amount of security. Gate, barbed wire, and a guard dog? That’s a newer home. However, these home are next to smaller homes with less security, and down the road there are tin roof houses with just a fence. Eventually the road is unpaved and the tiny homes just stand in the middle of a grassy patch. It seems as though it would be harder to develop generalized statistics about the people living in these neighborhoods, because they have such different lifestyles and accessibility to health care services.

Another part of the equation is the source of income for many of the people in Cuernavaca. The streets are lined with tiendas with people offering various services and goods. There are little shops for groceries, clothes laundering, and plenty of homemade foods. There are also lots of people who will set up tents or tables to sell food or artisanal goods on the street. There are also markets set up daily or weekly where people gather to sell their goods. Many of these people receive health insurance through Seguro Popular, which is public health insurance funded by national and state governments. This health insurance is used mostly by people who are self-employed or who work in the informal sector. It is also a requirement for the project that I am working on that the patients use Seguro Popular insurance, since this sector of people may be less likely to have received regular Pap smears and HPV tests in the recommended 3 year intervals.

Economic standing is very important in understanding the health and wellness of a population, and low economic standing is a deterrent to access to health and wellness services. I am very interested to learn more about the other barriers to effective healthcare in a society that offers public health insurance and is moving towards universal coverage, since there are still obstacles to overcome to ensure this often-marginalized group receives fair and effective medical treatment.

My first week in Cuernavaca is coming to an end and it has been quite the whirlwind. I have been very fortunate that this first week has been filled with meeting wonderful people and experiences that I know will be helpful for my future career in public health. Although there have been bouts of homesickness and the language barrier has led to an embarrassing amount of time on Duolingo and watching How I Met Your Mother in Spanish, I know I’m having an experience that will be beneficial for years to come.

The first week here was packed, with the first day including an overview of the project I’ll be working on and an extensive tour of the lab where they test samples. This project is currently recruiting 10,000 participants who will be screened for HPV. If they are positive, then they will be asked to participate in 18 months of follow-up. The laboratory we toured explained the various processes that the samples go through to determine if they are positive for HPV and particularly for strains 16 and 18, which are linked to cervical cancer. Each team member gave incredible detail about the process that they use for testing the samples, and then reassured me that no, I would not be responsible for anything that technical during my time there. It was a huge relief.

Wednesday and Thursday included site visits to a local health center where nurses from the Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica are recruiting participants for the study. On Wednesday, we went door to door in the neighborhood, asking women if they were eligible and interested in participating in the study. This was a fascinating experience from a public health perspective because the women we talked to were so willing to discuss their medical history with unknown medical professionals who showed up at their door. It was also interesting as a traveler to get to see a neighborhood and the different kinds of homes and living situations.

Thursday, I went with the nursing team as they went to the homes of women who had participated in the study and received an abnormal Pap smear result. We went to their homes to inform them and ask that they continue participation in the study by coming in for a colposcopy. Since the nurses suspected that a lot of the women wouldn’t show up for the exam, they were all given the same appointment time. This has been one of the most interesting things to see, how difficult it can be to reach people for follow-up for their appointments. The solution is just going straight to the source in their homes to make sure they receive the results of their examination.

It is incredible how many new experiences I’ve come across in just this first week in Mexico. Now it’s off to Acapulco, hasta luego!

For the past two weeks I have been completing my field experience at the National Institute of Public Health in Cuernavaca, Mexico. It has been existing getting to see how projects come to be and are coordinated across multiple states. Last year in multiple classes we talked about the obstacles that public health researchers face in the US. My preceptor has also faced similar issues, which is not surprising given that her focus is on communities that have often been marginalized by society. I am excited to continue advancing on my project, specifically key stakeholder interviews, and to learn from my preceptor and peers.

As I got a tour of the institute there is still visible damage from last fall’s earthquake. Multiple people have shared their experiences with me and many say the irony of it all is that the earthquake happened hours after they had just practiced an earthquake drill. Even with the damage that is still being worked on, the institute is constantly buzzing. I am also lucky enough to have my own working space on the same floor as my preceptor (space is very limited!). One of my favorite parts of traveling is of course- the food! Cuernavaca has so many great options that are super affordable. The streets are lined with restaurants, quick street food tents, and the mercado , which along with fresh produce, is full delicious hot food – like this tlacoyo! This is one is made of blue maize masa that is oval shaped and then stuffed with a filling of your choice- I picked fava beans- cooked on hot comal and then topped with nopal (cactus) salad, cheese and salsa.

Street food

You also can’t visit Mexico and not indulge in some fresh churros topped with dulce de leche!

Cuernavaca is also filled with so many sculptures and greenery. One of the most beautiful spaces in Cuernavaca that I have seen so far is Jardin Borda. It was once home to Maximilian I, one of Mexico’s only emperors, and his wife Carlota.

Statue

Another statue

More statues!

Along with spending time at the INSP and meeting other researchers, I have also met students from throughout Mexico, the US, Panama, Ethiopia, and France- just to name a few. Learning about their projects, backgrounds and site seeing with them has been a blast!

Things have been busy at the INSP. I have been identifying key stakeholders for the states of Chiapas and Chihuahua. Navigating the different state’s websites proved to be more challenging that I originally thought. Given that the health system is decentralized, what and how each state displays information will vary, which does not make it user friendly for someone trying to quickly capture information. I have also been traveling outside of the INSP to conduct key stakeholder interviews for the state of Morelos. One interview took place in a center that practices traditional medicine. The center was beautiful and they had a traditional temazcal, which translates into “house of heat.”

In the field

During the weekends I have taken some time to visit some cool sites. I first went to the Grutas of Cacahuamilpa. These are ancient caves that are some of the largest cave systems in the world and have been in inhabited by the Olmec and the Chontal tribes. Something that sets this cave system apart is that it is still “alive” and new stalactites and stalagmites are still forming. Our tour lasted a little over two hours and throughout the tour, our guide would point out what different formations look like. This one is supposed to resemble a champagne bottle.

Exploring caves.

This picture above shows a formation that is said to look like Goofy. Our guide also told us that he was inside the caves during last year’s earthquake and that he felt perfectly safe in them. Aside from being closed for a few days, the caves did not suffer any major damage from the earthquake.

Afterwards we drove to Taxco, Guerrero. Taxco is known for its silver mining and silver craftsmanship. After enjoying the scenery over lunch we toured the local church, which has a completely silver Virgen de Guadalupe that was blessed by Pope Francis during his visit to Mexico. We then looked at all the artesanias de plata (handmade silver work) and walked around Taxco’s center.

Traveling around Mexico

In Taxco

Of course I can’t not mention the World Cup! Although Mexico is now out, it has been a blast watching the team with my host family and other students! Go Mexico!

Watching the World Cup!

One of my Saturday’s was spent exploring Mexico City’s Coyacan neighborhood. Coyacan was once home to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and their home has been converted to a museum known as “La Casa Azul.” Although it is small, it is definitely worth visiting! I also highly recommend purchasing your tickets online because the ticket line can get pretty long! The museum has a range of artwork, art materials, and personal items like her clothing, along with views into her kitchen, bedrooms, library, and garden.

Frida Kahlo Museum

Frida Kahlo

Also, with the purchase of a ticket you get free entrance to Diego Rivera’s Museo de Anahuacalli, which holds over 50,000 items from indigenous civilizations and is a pretty amazing building. What I found super interesting, and what most archeologists would probably find really frustrating, is that the way the items are organized is not by time period or even by civilizations, rather by what Diego Rivera thought looked good together. This is definitely not a typical museum!

Clay sculptures

While in Mexico City, I saw something I had never seen before- women only (and children under 12 yrs) carts as part of the subway system. It was pretty amazing to see that this is something that is actually enforced. Although I definitely did feel more relaxed and comfortable in these carts, and it’s great that the city has set up this policy, it also speaks to the fact that there have been so many attacks on subway carts that this separation is now necessary.

Women and children-only transit.

After the first day of my stay in Mexico City I went to Palacio de Bellas Artes. The exhibits that I say were very goth and the theme was “hibreras”, I want to say it is a mythical creature that has horns and flies (basically a devil). The second floor also has large murals. One famous mural by Diego Rivera is Man at the Crossroads. There is also a very powerful mural of an indigenous woman who is naked and is being chained. Though the palace is very large the exhibits themselves were small and can be toured in an hour or so.

The second day I went to the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacan. I will say that if you plan on going bring your student ID! You can pay either 15 pesos with a student ID, or 200 if you don’t. You also have to pay in order to take pictures inside the house… I didn’t, so there is a picture of me standing outside the house instead. The house is beautiful and has many rooms. You get to see where Diego and Frida slept, the kitchen, where Frida would paint, etc. There is also a small exhibit of Frida’s clothes as she was a fashionista and some designers also have clothes inspired by her. The house is very vibrant and apparently Frida and Diego would have guests stay at their home all of the time, the house was never empty.

Frida Kahlo Museum

I found a super cute coffee/library spot in La Roma Neighborhood. There is also a small terrace where you can purchase drinks. I knew I wanted a book so I went with a classic poetry book by Emily Dickinson. La Roma is a beautiful neighborhood with a lot of shops and parks nearby. I also went to Parque Espana and rode a bicycle around for a little bit.

In Roma Sur there is an adorable coffee shop, called Alma Pura, where they sell a lot of healthy options. After eating tacos, quesadillas, huarches…. I was craving something healthy. I had a sandwich the first day and then I had vegan pancakes the next day. I also had an immune shot which was a shot of ginger, orange and pollen seeds. The prices of this place are cheap, roughly $4 for a meal. Surprisingly, eating out at a restaurant in Mexico City is expensive. A plate of food is about $7-8, which is about what you pay to eat in a Mexican restaurant in the U.S. The cheapest way to eat here are the street vendors since you can eat for $1-2. However, most likely they don’t have chairs.

I went to Las Piramides de Teotihuacan which was an hour away from Mexico City. The pyramid in the picture is the pyramid of the sun. There is also a pyramid of the moon which was smaller and west of this pyramid. This pyramid has very steep stairs. There is a rope that you can hold on to once you are half way there. There is a line to go to the top of the pyramid once you hit the middle because there are so many people. Advice for those climbing this pyramid would be to wear sunscreen and bring a cold water bottle because you will get hot. Coming down is scary because the stairs are very steep. I held on to the rope the entire way down. Once you get down there are a lot of vendors so you will want to use your bartering skills because they definitely up-charge. A trick I learned is to aim low, pretend to walk away and they will usually settle for you price.

My friend and I went to a restaurant called La Gruta near the pyramids. I will say there is typically a long wait. We waited for about an hour which wasn’t the worst. The restaurant is basically under a cave and there are many dim lights and colorful chairs. We got lucky and got to see performers at dinner time. They had various dances and had costume changes in between. The food is a bit on the pricier side but it is so good! If you get a chance to eat here I recommend it, it was a great experience.

Recently there has been a movement in Mexico city where public transportation is pink to increase female safety. There were many incidents reported of women being sexually assaulted on their commute, so the city decided to have transportation for women only. There are pink cabs, buses and there are pink train carts. Though this is a step in decreasing violence against women, there should be policies in which the perpetrators are being punished for their actions. Also, in my opinion, pink is a cliche color option for this movement. Below, you will see what one of the pink taxis look like!

The first week in Cuernavaca was pretty lonely and at times it still is. I decided to invest in myself this summer instead of feeling down. I am trying to do things that I enjoy such as reading and painting again. I have been working on my resume and looking at jobs. At first I was distressed simply because I was not constantly doing things. I think we are so used to having a million things due and living a fast pace life. Its okay to do nothing and to sit in silence. We are constantly being stimulated and technology heightens that stimulation. Something that I have learned in my short time here is enjoy the down time. You don’t always have to be doing something and multitasking.