Que Pases Feliz Dia Mija Cuidate Bay

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Melanie Gallegos-Campos

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Melanie Gallegos-Campos

<i>Pronouns:</i> She/her <i>Home Institution:</i> University of California, Davis <i>Expected Graduation:</i> 2023 <i>Major / Minor:</i> Global Disease Biology / Chicana/o Studies <i>Study Abroad Location:</i> Oaxaca, Mexico <i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Hola <i>Program Provider:</i> UCEAP <i>Identity:</i> Hispanic/Latinx, First-Generation American, First-Generation College Student, Community College Student, Transfer Student <i>Future Career Goals:</i> My future career goals are to complete a master's degree in public health and earn a medical degree so I can serve my community as a physician. I am particularly interested in working towards making healthcare accessible to underserved and disadvantaged groups, whether it be directly through patient care or on a larger scale through health politics and policymaking. <i>Top 3 Goals for your time abroad:</i> My top goals for my time abroad are to (1) immerse myself in Oaxacan culture by trying traditional foods and participating in Fall festivities, (2) gain in-depth clinical and public health experience to prepare me for a career in healthcare, and (3) improve my Spanish fluency and cultural awareness to better work with patients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

Nov. 17, 2023

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I have been thinking a lot about my family and how this is the first year we won’t be spending the holiday together. I’m glad I’ll be home by Christmas but it feels strange to miss out on Thanksgiving since it’s the time of the year our family gets together to share a delicious meal and express our gratitude for having each other. This study abroad trip has been the longest I have been away from home so I expected to feel homesick and although I’ve made great friends on my program and have stayed busy with activities and assignments, at the end of the day I find myself missing my friends and family back home.

Every morning when my dad gets to work, he sends me a text message and it’s always some variation of “Que Pases Feliz Dia Mija Cuidate Bay” / “Have A Happy Day Mija Take Care Bye.” Because of the time difference, it’s difficult to call at a time where my dad is not working or sleeping so I’m grateful to at least exchange text messages every day and send him pictures of my travels too. I’m glad that I have had better luck video chatting with my mom and catching up with her over the phone, even when it means interrupting her favorite soap operas.

I think throughout this trip I have been most surprised by how much I miss my friends in Davis. I miss our “karaoke” nights where we sang along (loudly and poorly) to our favorite songs, our game nights where there was always someone who got too competitive, and of course the endless laughter from poking fun at each other, doing silly dances and repeating silly phrases, and just remembering the fun times we’ve had. I miss those small moments and I can’t wait until I get back home and go visit everyone in Davis, bringing souvenirs and cool stories from Oaxaca with me.

I think what has helped me get through the feelings of homesickness is talking about it with the others in the program. I found that many students feel the same way and when we know each other’s feelings, we can support each other better and make sure that even if we’re far from home, we never feel alone. I’m grateful for the friends I mada that encourage me to go out and explore new places, even when I’m feeling a little blue, and who will listen to me talk about my friends and family because it makes me feel better. Finally, I try to stay focused on the bigger picture and my intentions with joining this program. Ultimately, my goal is to use my experiences here in Oaxaca to be the best doctor I can be in the future. By keeping that goal in mind, I remind myself to take advantage of the opportunities I have here and make the most of my time in Oaxaca because when I return home, I’m sure I’ll be feeling “homesick” for Oaxaca too.