Hola

Hello! My name is Victoria Brohard, I was born and raised in Washington State and have lived there until I decided to transfer to Clemson.  I graduated from Puyallup High School in 2021 and from Clemson University in December 2024 with a bachelor of science degree in Spanish and International Health. Before Clemson I attended a small private Christian college, Seattle Pacific University, but unfortunately had to medically withdraw due to an injury. During my time off of school I researched different career paths within the healthcare field and stumbled upon Clemson's Language and International Health, and instantly knew that it was the program for me. From my time here and the professors I have had to guide me along the way, I plan on furthering my education by either pursuing a BSN or getting a masters degree in Emergency Management and Preparedness. I have always been passionate about serving others and through the courses I have taken at Clemson, it has opened my eyes to all the different avenues I could take as a public health professional. 

One of the most impactful internship opportunities I have participated in was while I studied abroad in Cordoba, Argentina. During the 5 months I was abroad, I lived with 2 different host families who helped me integrate into their culture and daily lifestyle. As part of one of the requirements for the Spanish and International Health degree, we had to select a program in our target language and complete an internship with a minimum of 130 hours. I was placed at a local health clinic where I shadowed their pediatrician and OB GYN, and assisted other sectors of the clinic like administration and nursing. I gained insight on what it looks like to work in a clinic and gained valuable skills through patient charting as well as learning the administration side of healthcare. This internship confirmed that I truly had a passion to work with more rural and underserved communities. 

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Another important skill I gleaned from this internship was developing good patient care. Before Argentina, I had shadowed a few health professionals more so by observing their work than participating. The pediatrician and OB GYN encouraged me to be hands-on and interact with the patients, also allowing me to practice my Spanish language skills in a healthcare setting. The most memorable moment during my internship was when I assisted the pediatrician in taking vitals and a physical assessment on a one and a half year old. At first I was nervous as I had only been watching and asking questions but being trusted by the pediatrician and the family gave me the opportunity to visualize doing this within my career, teaching me patience as well as how to create a comfortable environment within the consultation room for the patient and their family. Practicing patience and being adaptable were critical in me not only adjusting to a new work environment but also when I came to interacting with patients who may or may know if I fluently spoke Spanish or none at all.  

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Through the hands-on-experiences I gained in Argentina and in the public health courses I have taken, it not only confirmed my passion for healthcare, but also assisted in the development of critical skills that I will carry into my future career. The skills I have gained from these experiences include: open mindedness, flexibility, a strong work ethic, collaboration in small and large groups, public speaking, and effective communication. My core values are to always express gratitude, care for others as if they were your family, show compassion through my actions and words, embrace resilience to overcome challenges, and to seek adventure for the opportunity for exploration, new experiences, and to push my boundaries.