Health professions students get hands-on experience in Argentina

Ashley Maxon of Laurel and Jacob Zitterkopf of Scottsbluff gave a presentation last week about their volunteer service in Cordoba, which is Argentina’s second largest city with 1.3 million residents. While serving the city’s health care industry and staying with separate host families, the two experienced the country’s language, along with its rich history and culture. Both Maxon, who is studying to be a general practitioner, and Zitterkopf, an aspiring oral surgeon, said the trip arranged through the organization Projects Abroad provided an experience they couldn’t receive in the United States.

“It was an amazing experience, that's for sure,” Maxon said. “We were able to experience a new culture and watch so many operations that we would never had the chance to here in the United States and I would go back without a doubt.”

During the presentation Thursday, Nov. 2, Maxon and Zitterkopf showed graphic photos and videos of the extreme cases they encountered during their service, such as severe burns and complex procedures such as an open heart surgery. While the two spent a lot of time watching the doctors and medical staff, they also were frequently put into action.

“I was in the emergency room sometimes,” Maxon said. “The first day I walked in, they said ‘You’re studying medicine,’ so they handed me a needle and I was doing stitches.”

Her work also included administering urine and blood samples.

“A lot of people there thought we were doctors, which is probably why they were so willing to let us assist, take pictures and shoot video,” Zitterkopf said.

Zitterkopf, who served at five hospitals during two months, recounted a number of rewarding experiences, including connections he made with young patients. One instance, he mentioned watching a baby narrowly escape death as doctors removed of a peso from its air passages.

In addition to working at hospitals that provided general care, Zitterkopf served in a location that performed oral surgery. There, he encountered cases of cleft palate and many diseases such as cancer.

Each said their host families were friendly, welcoming and cooked great food. Maxon said her average day included her four-mile round trip walk to and from work. She also said it took a while to get acclimated to the language. Zitterkopf is fluent in Spanish, but said he occasionally struggled understanding the variety spoken by the Argentineans. The two also said Argentina’s nonstop culture took some getting used to, as Argentineans would rise at 6:30 a.m. and not go to bed until after 1 a.m. the next morning.

“They just run on less sleep than we do,” Maxon said.

While the weekdays were spent in health care, the volunteers spent weekends on service projects arranged by the organization. They included building adobes for children and painting an orphanage.

Prior to leaving for Argentina, Zitterkopf collected dental supplies to give to children. Maxon said it was entertaining watching Zitterkopf teach children who had never seen a toothbrush to brush their teeth, in addition to getting his suitcase full of supplies through airport security.

“They thought my tubes of toothpaste were full of cocaine,” he said.

Their time in Argentina wasn’t all work, however. The volunteers traveled to points of interest throughout the country, including the Salinas Grandes salt flats and the Iguazu Falls. They also went whitewater rafting and took a bicycle tour of the vineyards of Mendoza. Zitterkopf said he made friendships with people from more than 20 countries.

The presentation by Maxon and Zitterkopf was part of the Science Abroad speakers’ series that began at CSC this fall. Next up in series is Dr. Mathew Brust, a CSC faculty member who will tell about a recent trip to Canada. His presentation will be Thursday, Nov. 18, in room 144 of the Math and Science Building.