by Ashley Seachao
Hey! My name is Ashley Saechao, and I was born and raised in Richmond, California. I graduated from Richmond High in 2022 and was fortunate to receive the Eddie Ashley Scholarship. Currently, I am a third-year student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Integrative Biology.
With the support of the Ahlsten Foundation, I had the incredible opportunity to join my club, MEDLIFE, on a student learning trip to Lima, Peru. MEDLIFE, which stands for Medicine, Education, Development for Low-Income Families Everywhere, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to healthcare, education, and community development in low-income communities across Latin America and Africa.
Although the trip lasted only a week, each day was filled with enriching experiences. From Tuesday to Friday, we volunteered at mobile health clinics, rotating through various roles. During my dentistry rotation, I assisted the dentist with suctioning, and in general medicine, I informed patients about their vitals and whether they were within healthy ranges. It was fascinating to observe the doctors’ evaluations based solely on conversations with patients.
One of the days was designated for a community project, where our group helped build a park in the San Juan district. The end result was breathtaking. This hands-on experience not only provided insight into Peruvian culture but also offered valuable firsthand healthcare experience and deepened my empathy.
In addition to our volunteer work, I explored Miraflores with friends in the evenings. We enjoyed numerous delicious restaurants and met amazing people from around the world. We also spent a full day touring Ica, where we enjoyed sand dunes, sandboarding, a boat ride, and wine tasting!
If you’re considering studying abroad, I highly recommend it! While concerns about cost or distance are understandable, the experience and personal growth you gain are invaluable and will have a lasting impact!
