Cassidy Sluss, Health and Culture in Bolivia, Summer 2026
Although this program was mainly public health focused, the main appeal for me was simply visiting a Spanish speaking country. As a Spanish major, there are many options to visit, but Bolivia is such a unique destination and such a unique opportunity. All of the experiences we had are things that I will remember and cherish for my entire life, but interacting and engaging in cultural exchange with locals was the most meaningful aspect of this adventure for me. Visiting the Fundación Casari and hanging out with local children brought me immeasurable joy. We got to help them finish their homework before getting to play outside. The children spoke almost exclusively Spanish, so I got an opportunity to learn how to discuss phonics and math in a way that they would understand, which was great practice for me as an educator.
All of the kids were so excited to meet us and play with us; they wanted to learn our language and teach us theirs through play. All of the teachers at Casari were kind and gentle with the kids, but were extremely determined to instill good manners and independence within each child, whether they were 6 or 14. All of the adults working with the children were very interested in my future plans and would answer any question I asked, in Spanish or English.
I was proud when I could easily understand what locals (children and adults alike) were saying, and they could understand me when I spoke. I made a lot of progress in terms of fluency during my time in Cochabamba, and I know that the experiences and skills I have learned during my time here will serve me for my entire career. I connected with many of the children, whom I will miss dearly and intend to visit again someday. This has truly been the trip of a lifetime that I will never forget.
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