I always thought that off-campus program would be so much easier than regular school semester. Believe me, it is not! Working full time from 9 to 5 is pretty tiring, plus evening student worker shift and evening class. Some days, I would get home by 10 or 11 pm if I had to study at coffeeshop afterward. My two internships are good but I am not that excited anymore. My mood swings are like a roller coaster and currently, they are downward, maybe mainly because of my recent health problems.
In this Journal, I want to talk about how I recognized some of my privileges through my internship experience. Let me start off with my internship experience at PHMC care clinic which provides primary care for underserved population. My supervisor established Diabetes community including Diabetes Academy education program and community events at PHMC care clinic. During my time at PHMC, I got an opportunity to plan and organize Diabetes Academy classes and its community events. I got a chance to meet people from different background with various health problems. My first impression on the patients was “Wow, they are really hard to deal with.” During the class, some of the patients would interrupt when someone’s talking, answered their phone loudly, got mad at the educator for not giving them the chance to ask questions ( they asked a lot of questions and there’s no time for all of the questions within one hour of class), so on and on. I was frustrated that patients did not pay respect to the educator and their classmates, so was my supervisor. One day, I and my supervisor talked about how they do not have basic manners and morality. And my supervisor said that some of the patients had mental issues and they are easily irritable because of their background and health issues. I did not think about their emotional instability due to what they went through in their life. I recognized some of my privileges by communicating with our patients at PHMC. Recognizing my privileges changed some of my perspectives on patients. I try to be more patient and flexible with some of the patients. I start listening to their voice and trying to get to know their life. They are very honest. That’s one thing I cannot find easily in this world. They tell me what they don’t like or what they like. There’s no pretentious attitude. They are ordinary people who have certain hatred, anger, jealousy and ego. They also have certain love kindness, and generosity. Working with underserved population is not easy. But, I feel pure joy and satisfaction when I am trying to help their life improve. I am very happy when our patients’ A1C ( average blood sugar measurement for the past two to three months) go down. During my internship at PHMC, I took them to chinatown, showed them the cheapest grocery store that has fresh fruit and vegetable and showed them how to buy and eat healthy. We all had a great time. During the trip to chinatown, I remember when one of the patients asked me “ is this where your people are?” I gave her a big smile. There is no supremacy or prejudice between us. I am Burmese (who’s usually seen as Chinese), they are mostly black, some are spanish, some are white. We provide the service and they appreciate it. We share good things and bad things. We celebrate our imperfections and differences. I wish the world will be that simple. But, it is not.
The field trip to chestnut hill gave me a lot thoughts about difference and inequality. I cannot imagine how I will survive long hours on bus to get education. However, compared to thousands of children in Myanmar who cannot go to school and are used as child laborers, the kids I have seen on the bus have their own privileges. And, I see the fluid concept of privilege.
Chinatown field trip & Smoothie Day
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| Our Diabetes Academy Graduation |
