Shaping Stone, Shaping Perspective

Today's cultural day at the resort offered a different kind of learning experience - it was one that reminded me that understanding the culture of a community, is just as important as understanding their healthcare needs. We were given the opportunity to learn how to carve soapstone, and purchase some handmade Panamanian crafts and jewelry - giving us the opportunity to connect with the culture in a way that went beyond observation. It gave us all some time to pause, appreciate and to reflect on the people and traditions that help to shape this community. 

I tried to demonstrate respect for the cultural differences by approaching the whole experience with curiosity and humility. Rather than just seeing this crafts and jewelry as souvenirs, I tried to understand the deeper meaning and the time that was spent. Just watching the man demonstrate the soapstone carving showed me the amount of patience and tradition that go into their work. Getting the opportunity to participate in that process gave me more appreciation of this craft, on a deeper level, and helped me recognize the pride and identity that is connected to their cultural traditions. 

My attempt at a sleeping fox

Before today started, I though that having this cultural day was just a "break" from the clinical work that we were doing. When in reality, I realized that understanding the cultural of the surrounding communities is an essential part of global health. Culture determines how people view illness, healing, the family roles, and trust with and in healthcare providers. 

I also had the opportunity to see how different communities use creativity and craftsmanship as a form of resilience and as economic stability for their families. In these areas, where resources are noticeably limited, these works of art aren't only a form of artistic expression but also an important source of income for that person and also a sense of pride for their community. 

Because of the cultural opportunities I have experienced, I will return home with a completely different perspective. I can say that I will be more mindful of how cultural backgrounds shape a patient's experiences, their beliefs about health, and their trust in the healthcare system. I will also make sure that I am taking the time to truly understand each person's cultural context that I care for. 

Self-reflecting, today reminded me that learning about a community's culture is absolutely not separate from their healthcare. This is a vital part of providing compassionate and respectful care. These experiences have helped me grow not only as a nursing student, but also as someone who hopes to serve diverse communities with more awareness and respect. While we all came to learn about a culture today, I know personally, I left with a deeper respect for the people, their traditions, and stories that shape it. 

Tomorrow we will leave the resort for the final time, and head to Panama City for some tourism shopping and then back to the airport we go. 🌎