Wednesday, July 30

Today I arrived in San Diego and true to the city's reputation, the weather is sunny and beautiful! After a few moments of calm, while I set my things down in my dorm room, I was thrown right into the swing of things. This morning, the NBC station out here in San Diego visited as well as a reporter from the San Diego Union Tribune. The media interviewed a few participants and took a lot of pictures. They are excited to see the results of the coverage!

This afternoon, the students heard from Jodi Streiff, R.N., who gave a presentation concerning burn care and prevention. Later, I got to watch as students prepared and performed healthcare presentations which they will later present on the overseas mission to which they are assigned. After dinner, a few Executive Leadership Council (ELC) members held a question and answer session for the mission training participants. The ELC members offered helpful advice including, "Practice! Practice! Practice the presentations so that you aren't nervous and are comfortable with and knowledgeable of the material." Many students had questions regarding the language barrier that they will most likely experience on their missions. ELC members and student sponsors suggested that you, "try to learn to say some things in the local language," "always use a translator when available" and if a translator is not available, "use props or play games or do an arts and crafts project in the meantime."

Wade Hooton, Operation Smile Director of Student Programs, summed up the discussion when he told the students, "It's more important to learn the material than the language."

In the midst of all of the programs, I was able to meet a handful of students and learn about each of their experiences thus far with Operation Smile. I am looking forward to meeting more students at the Mission Training Workshop and later this week, the participants of the International Student Leadership Conference. Look for more updates on all the events at San Diego State University in the coming days!

- Molly Rubin

Forty-six students from around the world participate in Operation Smile’s Mission Training Workshop in San Diego, Calif. Photo by Kip Cothran.

(from left) Another group of students, including Jed Rooney, Charleen Pham and Jennifer Korngut, give a presentation about Oral Rehydration Therapy. Photo by Kip Cothran.

(from left) Students Staci Drangmeister, Brooke Hogan, Madison Stein give an Oral Rehydration Therapy presentation. Photo by Kip Cothran.