In a Place Full of Color - Finding Humanity in Service

When I first signed up for this trip back in August, I knew it would be meaningful. We spent months fundraising, preparing, and learning about Guatemalan culture in anticipation of our time at Ciudad de la Esperanza in Cobán, Guatemala. But no amount of preparation could have fully prepared me for the impact this experience would have on me, not only as a future nurse, but as a person.

Over the course of this trip, I had the opportunity to rotate through several specialties including internal medicine, pediatrics, dentistry, physical therapy, pharmacy, and triage. Although we were technically shadowing, we were also very involved in patient care. In triage, we took vitals and helped prepare patients for their appointments. At the glasses station, we fitted both children and adults for readers and prescription glasses. Every rotation taught me something different and gave me a new perspective on healthcare, communication, and service.

One of the most impactful parts of this experience was the community surrounding the clinic and school. The school itself was overflowing with color, energy, and life. Children ran through the halls laughing, yelling, and playing freely. There was such a strong sense of joy and community that felt so genuine and alive. It made me realize how different life and connection can look in different parts of the world. Despite having far fewer resources than we are used to in the United States, there was an overwhelming sense of warmth, hospitality, and kindness everywhere we went.

What stood out to me most was the mutual respect shared between everyone. Patients, providers, students, teachers, and community members all treated one another with so much dignity and compassion. People welcomed us into their community with open arms, and I do not think I will ever fully be able to express how grateful I am for that.

At the same time, this experience challenged me in ways I did not expect. In the United States, we often rely heavily on testing, technology, and immediate access to resources. In Guatemala, I saw firsthand what it means to work with limited supplies and limited access to care. Things we might consider simple or routine in the U.S. are not always possible there. It forced all of us to think differently and focus on what we could do for each patient with the resources available. There was something incredibly powerful about seeing healthcare approached with so much creativity, adaptability, and compassion.

As difficult as it is to explain, I genuinely feel like I am leaving Guatemala as a different person than the one who arrived. This trip gave me a new perspective on life, one filled with greater curiosity for other cultures, deeper gratitude, and a stronger passion to serve others. It reminded me that healthcare is not just about medicine or procedures. It is about human connection, empathy, dignity, and meeting people where they are.

As a Bahá’í, service is something I really value, and this experience made that feel more real than ever before. I saw what it looks like when people from different backgrounds come together with the shared goal of caring for others. I saw how compassion can transcend language barriers, cultural differences, and circumstance.

I do not know what I did to deserve an opportunity like this, but I know it is one that will stay with me forever. The people I met, the lessons I learned, and the perspective I gained will continue shaping the kind of nurse, and the kind of person, I hope to become.

Thank you, Guatemala, for your kindness, your beauty, and your humanity. A part of me will always remain here.

- Nadija Rutar