I did not know much about Panama before traveling to Chitre. I thought that, coming from the United States, I would be helping a undereducated community. I was proved wrong. While I was excitied to help others I am pleased to be the one thatnwas under educated. The Panamanian health care system, to me, is a model that the United States needs to learn from. So far, they have worked on prevention and educating their patients. The health care clinic, Policinia de Chitre, seemed dirty when I first arrived; the idea of not killing bacteria and only using water seemed primitive. I still feel that some of their practices could be more sterile but I have realized that it is not nearly as unsafely dirty as I first thought. The patients all seem very relaxed and health care seems to be more a part of life; instead of something scary. I have really enjoyed learning about this culture so far, their different cultures, and I am excitied about whats to come. 03-13-2012