The bitter cold of the early December morning was a brisk reminder that this was the beginning of the Winter break. The SUU parking lot was empty except for 46 students willing to trade their warm beds and much deserved time off school for a week long excursion to work in charity hospitals and orphanages in Sonora, Mexico. Eight university vans carried these excited students and literally tons of donations to the impoverished communities of Guaymas and Hermosillo.

Students spent the following week immersed in Latino culture, learning about an underserved health care system, and lending a hand when possible. Pre-dental students assisted at local schools, helping with exams and education. Pre-med students observed medical procedures, rocked and fed babies in the nursery, and held the hands of women going through labor. They all enjoyed visiting orphanages and sharing Christmas gifts. More importantly, they learned the value of compassion, empathy and the importance of reaching out of one's own comfort zone. For many students, it was their first trip out of the country, and for some their first trip out of Utah.  Evening reflection meetings gave the students a chance to ponder the differences between healthcare systems and share the day's experiences.

The Rural Health Scholars Program at Southern Utah University coordinates three cultural immersion experiences for their students each year, going to Mexico over Winter and Spring breaks and also to the Navaho reservation to work in clinics.