Sample Coursework
This page highlight some of the assignments, including papers and projects, I have completed in 3 different areas: Linguistics, Culture/Literature/Film, and Public/Global Health.
Linguistic Artifacts and Reflections
“La descripción y evaluación del Sistema de Salud de Puerto Rico: Una revisión de la literatura” is a scientific article I completed in Technical Spanish for Health Management Professionals. The assignment’s goal was to research and analyze the structure, history, and challenges of Puerto Rico’s health system.
Drafting this paper strengthened my academic writing and expanded my technical vocabulary in Spanish, particularly in topics related to health systems, policy, and public health. It also pushed me to critically evaluate and select reliable sources and statistics. While challenging, the process became deeply personal as many of my findings resonated with my own and my family’s lived experiences navigating healthcare on the island. One striking example was the average emergency department wait time in Puerto Rico—approximately 13 hours—which I have personally experienced during visits with my family. Making these connections allowed me to reflect more deeply on why patients, especially those from Puerto Rico and other marginalized communities in Latin America, may carry a sense of distrust toward the U.S. medical system.
In the future, knowing how to use complex medical terminology will help me navigate conversations in ways that my patients and their families feel truly seen, understood, and respected by their provider.
I will be writing an article titled “Cómo el Alzheimer afecta la población latina/hispana en los Estados Unidos” for my Health and the Hispanic Community course. The purpose of this project will be to explore the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s on Latino and Hispanic populations in the U.S. while also practicing how to communicate complex health information in a professional and culturally sensitive manner.
One of the main challenges I anticipate is finding accurate, up-to-date statistics specific to Hispanic/Latino communities, as health data is often limited or grouped into broad categories. Another challenge will be balancing the biological perspective of genetic predisposition with the social determinants of health that can either increase risk or serve as protective factors for this disease.
Through this project, I aim to strengthen my academic Spanish and deepen my ability to engage with culturally specific health issues. These skills will prepare me to better understand patients’ perspectives, recognize the roots of distrust in the healthcare system, and ensure that Spanish-speaking families feel respected, understood, and supported in clinical settings.
Culture/Literature/Film Artifacts and Reflections
For this artifact, I selected my second film journal, Flores de otro mundo, Te doy mis ojos, and A mi madre le gustan las mujeres, which I completed for Hispanic Film. The purpose of this assignment was to analyze three Spanish films and reflect on how cinematic techniques reveal cultural norms, social change, and interpersonal relationships in Spain during the 1990s and 2000s. My analysis highlighted how elements such as camera framing, sound, and music conveyed themes of immigration, gender roles, domestic violence, and sexuality. For instance, in Te doy mis ojos, I examined how the director’s decision to eliminate background noise in scenes of domestic violence heightened the sense of isolation and loneliness experienced by the wife as she endured abuse from her husband.
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This project was meaningful because it challenged me to look beyond plot and dialogue and instead examine the cultural and social messages embedded in artistic expression. I developed skills in critical analysis, empathy, and cultural interpretation, particularly in recognizing how societal expectations can shape people’s relationships and identities.
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In the future, I will carry forward the lesson of approaching others’ stories with openness and cultural humility. Just as these films encouraged me to listen to voices and perspectives different from my own, I hope to do the same in my academic and professional life by valuing diverse experiences and narratives.
Public/Global Health Artifacts and Reflections
In a Creative Inquiry (CI) titled Solving Global Development Challenges, I completed a project focused on food insecurity and barriers to health and well-being in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Together with my partner, we researched the country’s struggles with the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically 2 and 3, and we proposed a collaborative strategy to address Zero Hunger (SDG #2) and Good Health and Well-Being (SDG #3).
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This project pushed me to think holistically about global health challenges and how social, political, and environmental factors intertwine. I strengthened my research and problem-solving skills by analyzing case studies and learning how to design practical, evidence-based interventions. For example, my partner and I decided that one of our interventions would target the east side of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where many people fleeing the Rwandan genocide were unable to access hospitals concentrated in the west due to difficult topography. We proposed creating and delivering additional health resources to these underserved populations. A key challenge was formulating a realistic plan to help the DRC move toward achieving SDGs 2 and 3, given the scale and complexity of the issues. This required creative thinking and an appreciation for the importance of multi-sector collaboration.
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This experience will inform how I approach health inequities as a future provider. Understanding the importance of cultural humility, sustainable solutions, and interdisciplinary collaboration will guide me in addressing patient and community needs with empathy and evidence-based strategies.
This infographic, created for Public Health Communication (HLTH3030), focused on concussions among adolescents. My project highlighted what concussions are, common symptoms in males and females, risk factors, prevention strategies, and recovery guidelines. One detail I found particularly compelling was a risk factor specific to females: the phase of the menstrual cycle. Research suggests that the presence of progesterone in the bloodstream can increase the likelihood of sustaining a concussion, an insight that underscored the importance of considering biological differences in both prevention and treatment strategies.
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This artifact is significant because it deepened my understanding of how health conditions manifest differently across populations, particularly the gender differences in concussion symptoms and recovery. I also developed critical thinking and research skills by synthesizing information from diverse sources and presenting it in a way that highlights practical prevention and treatment approaches. A challenge I faced was designing a concise and engaging resource that balanced scientific accuracy with readability for a broad audience. This required me to refine my ability to communicate complex health science concepts effectively.
Looking forward, this experience will help me in my future career by strengthening my ability to educate patients about health risks in an accessible and empathetic way. It also reinforced the importance of evidence-based practice in addressing public health concerns and advocating for health equity.