VCOM View Magazine Vol. 14 | No. 1

said. “That’s how you build trust. That’s how you give better care.” Some moments stand out more than others. Sydney remembered one patient in particular who was quiet and hesitant at the beginning of the visit. “She didn’t say much, and I could tell she was nervous,” Sydney recalled. “But by the end, she reached out and held my hand. I didn’t need a translator to know that she felt safe. That moment will stay with me.” For students considering an international rotation, Sydney encourages them to take the leap. Her advice is simple: go with the mindset of serving others, not just learning for yourself. “Be ready to adapt. Be flexible. You’ll face challenges, but you’ll also grow in ways you don’t expect. And if you stay open and respectful, you’ll make a real difference.”

As Sydney wrapped up her time in the Dominican Republic, she returned with much more than clinical knowledge. She also carried home a deeper understanding of the people she served and a renewed commitment to VCOM’s mission of care, compassion, and service. It is the kind of lesson that cannot be taught in a classroom; it can only be experienced face to-face.

For more information on VCOM’s international outreach program, visit www.vcom.edu/academics/outreach/international

Sydney Boudreaux (second from right) with her VCOM classmates during their rotation in the Dominican Republic.

fall 2025 | VCOM V iew M agazine 23