Caitlin Tan

Age: 16

School: Lowell High School

Volunteer Assignment: 

Q:What was your favorite part or best experience while volunteering at UCSF?

    Ever since I was a little girl, I always pictured myself being in the medical field. I thought it was a fulfilling job since I get to contribute to the world by helping people smile. For the past nine weeks, I have had an amazing experience in UCSF summer volunteer program.During my time volunteering I had so much fun while also learning lots of life skills. I had fun making coffee, keychains of paper cranes, organizing cds. But what I enjoyed the most was delivering items to the patients.

    As I delivered items to patients, I would more often than not learn something new every day. Before the internship, I did not know how to make coffee using a coffee machine.  I thought you just put powder and add some water then you drink. I was at first embarrass that I did not know how to make coffee. But instead of sulking I quietly watched and observed how other people used the coffee machine. Soon I was able to make coffee with ease and taught others how to make it. Prior to the internship, I’ve always been awkward with people especially when I did not know the person. So being put into a situation where I had to talk to strangers constantly was very scary at first. I was afraid that I would accidentally say something wrong or embarrass myself in front of someone. But after five or so deliveries it became easier. The patients were always grateful for the items that I brought to them. They would say thank you and I would always give them a smile in return. Then I would continue on my merry way delivering more items to patients.

    UCSF is home to many unique individuals hailing from all different places and who have variety of experiences. Everytime I go to deliver an item to a patient, I always look forward in learning something about him or her and once in awhile I have enjoyable conversations. One of my most memorable experiences volunteering at UCSF was when I went to deliver crossword puzzles to an elderly woman. It was my second week volunteering at UCSF. I wasn’t that good at keeping a conversation and usually tried to talk as little as possible to the patient to avoid an awkward conversation. When I finally reached the fifteen floor, I knocked on the door and presented to her the crossword puzzles. She was extremely grateful for the crossword puzzles and thanked me for it. As I was putting the crossword puzzles that she did not want in my bag, she asked what I wanted to be when I growed up. I stated that I wanted to be involved in the medical field, although I’m leaning more towards dentistry. She then told me about her life as a genetics doctor and how life in the medical field is very stressful at times and told me that it's not for everyone because you have to work really hard with long hours. I took this to heart and was very glad for the incite she gave me. From that day forward I tried to keep an open mind about the career path I wanted to take since it was something that I would do for the rest of my life.

    Another interaction I remember fondly was when I went to give papers and envelopes to anelderly couple. They wanted to write to friends and family about how things were going in UCSF and in particular the husband’s recovery status. The wife became ecstatic when I gave her the papers and envelopes. She thanked me very much for something very simple, but it meant a lot to her. She was very caring to her husband and I found that very admirable.

    Volunteering at UCSF was an extraordinary experience. I loved learning different life skills. Whether it be as simple as learning how to use a coffee machine to improving conversational skills. I was willing to learn anything to help make the patients’ experience more comfortable. I especially enjoyed meeting new and interesting people everytime I went in patients’ room to deliver things that they requested. I liked getting to know about them and gaining incite on particular aspects of life. Delivering items to patients gave me a sense of fulfillment because every time I saw how such a small act can have a positive result, a smile.