Arendell Parrott Academy Costa Rica Pre-Med 2025
Feb 18, 2025
Today was our first full day in Costa Rica, and it was amazing. As soon as we woke up, we walked over to the main building where we had gallo pinto (beans and rice), scrambled eggs, pineapple, watermelon, plantains, and orange juice. After we finished eating, we decided to lay out and try to tan before our class with Dr. Rocio Arias. In this class, we learned about basic vital signs, sutures, and injections and how to perform each of these actions. Then we learned about how to identify different kinds of illnesses such as stroke, allergic reactions, choking, and seizures. Then we role played identifying different types of medical situations with our group. This was many people’s favorite part. After this class, We decided to go and get lunch at a local restaurant. The food was absolutely delicious. We spent about 2 hours there eating before we headed back to our house. At our house, we were greeted by Dr. Abahita Hashemi who taught us about psychology. In this class, we learned how to deal with different types of patients under distress. We learned how to help with panic attacks, anxiety attacks, and hyperventilation. Then we role played again as other people acting as distressed patients where we had to take care of them. After we finished that class, we sat down to eat a delicious dinner of pasta and salad then we decided it was time for dessert, so we sat down and ate cake and ice cream. During dessert, we talked about the advantages and disadvantages of USA vs Costa Rica. After that, we were all really tired so we went to bed. It was a great day!
By Eliza and Remey
February 19, 2025
Today was a long but rewarding day filled with hands-on experience and teamwork. We started our morning early, waking up at 5:30 AM and having breakfast at 6 before heading to the clinic at 7. After arriving around 8:30, we split into two groups—one working at the mobile clinic and the other staying at the main clinic.
At the main clinic, we divided into three teams. Tejas and Remey handled patient greetings and demographic forms, ensuring everything was properly recorded. Jade and Eliza shadowed the physician, observing patient care firsthand. Riley and Aiden worked in the pharmacy, filling prescriptions for patients. Each role was essential in keeping the clinic running smoothly.
Around noon, we took a break for lunch, enjoying a rice bowl with beans, avocado, tomato, and corn, along with refreshing mint lemonade. Afterward, we spent time preparing presentations with creative games and themes for tomorrow. The day had been exhausting, and nearly everyone slept on the way back.
For dinner, we had BBQ chicken, pork, and sausage with a side of salad, potatoes, and green beans, followed by chocolate pie for dessert. To wrap up the day, we played a game where we were given patient symptoms and had to determine the correct level of care needed, physically carrying the patient to the appropriate station.
Overall, it was a fulfilling day of learning, teamwork, and hands-on experience in a medical setting.
By Aiden and Jade
February 20, 2025
Today for breakfast I had some watermelon since I wasn’t too hungry since it was so early. Remey had an egg, toast, and juice. Breakfast was very good and we are so grateful to the chefs! After breakfast we got on the bus to go to the clinic. We went to the mobile clinic which included a daycare and some super sweet kids who loved us. I got to tell the kids what their name in English was, and they were so excited to know some English words. Then we went to eat back at the regular clinic with the other group and doctors. We had some tortillas with beans, meat, lettuce, cheese, and pico de gallo. Then we got to surprise Yetica, the woman who cooked lunch for us at the clinic, with a cake and singing Feliz Cumpleaños! In the afternoon, we visited Casa Club, a school for adults with disabilities, and taught them about different topics like nutrition, going to the doctor, resting and the importance of physical activity. On the way to the hotel, we all got to go to this super cool area with a pond and some stores to get some cute souvenirs to bring home after the trip. For dinner we ate some chicken and potato salad with rice that was amazing. And then we got to dance with a popular instructor who taught us salsa, bachata, merengue, and one of her favorite dances that everyone knows, she calls it boogie. We were so good we got to learn Swing Criollo which is a Costa Rican type of dance. And then we slept after all the activities because we were so tired!
Riley E. and Remey O.
February 21, 2025
We had an early morning this morning. The plan for today was to go white water rafting. We all woke up at five to get on the bus at six. We had to ride the bus for about three hours and once we got there, we had breakfast. We had rice and beans, eggs, and fruit for breakfast. The place that we went rafting was called “Exploradoras Costa Rica Outdoors”. We rafted down the Pacuare River. At first, we were a little nervous but excited to see what was ahead. We separated into three teams of five. Then, we were off, rafting down the river. Our instructors were so kind, helpful, and funny. We rafted sixteen miles, which took us three hours. We stopped half way to snack on some pineapple. It was raining on us most of the way but eventually it was sunny outside. Some parts of our rafting journey were rocky, but overall it was so fun. After our rafting adventure, we went back to the meeting area. We ate lunch, which was delicious chicken wraps. After eating lunch, we got back on the bus for three hours to head back. When we got back, we ate dinner and played a game of Costa Rican Jeopardy! We answered questions on Costa Rican sayings, pre med topics and nature questions! Then we did a closing activity and headed to bed for an early morning!
By Mallory and Ansley
