I am currently in Restauración, a small town in the Dominican Republic close to the Haitian border. I am completing my practicum with the Foundation for International Medica

l Relief for Children (FIMRC). Though today marks the end of my first week, it feels as though I have been here for much longer. I am getting accustomed to the 5 minute walk from my

homestay to the office every morning, greeting locals along the way, attending meetings on the office terrace (occasionally swatting away mosqitoes), eating rice and beans every lunch “a la casa de Angela, la madre Dominicana,” working on outreach projects in the afternoon (with constant interruption by locals offering or selling food or just coming for a chat), and much more. Work life is quite different. Last week, we had a 2 hour commute on the back of a pick-up truck just to print flyers for a health fair we held on Saturday! I also spend lots of time learning Spanish so I can communicate with anyone and everyone. I am learning so much about the non-profit organization, the people, and public health in general. I look forward to the rest of my stay here.