Share one volunteering experience that was most memorable to you.
"Last semester, I interpreted for the Blood Pressure Clinic in Oakland. It was my first time interpreting, and I was afraid that I would be disoriented and forget the medical terms that I have learned in the VHIO DeCal course. It turned out to be very different. I was able to interpret very fluently using medical terms such as diastolic and systolic pressure. It was a very rewarding and fun experience, and both the patients and the healthcare providers appreciated my help and asked me to come back the next week."
EVELYN CHEN
Department: Chinese (Mandarin)
Year: rising Sophomore (congratulations on finishing freshman year)
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
Preferred Pronouns: She/her/hers
Joined VHIO: Freshman year - Fall 2017
Why VHIO?
"I joined VHIO hoping to continue community service in college and improve my bilingual skills. Being bilingual and growing up in two different cultures meant a lot to me as an immigrant, and I knew that VHIO will give me the opportunity to meet many others with similar experiences.
VHIO has helped me to truly appreciate and value my immigrant background and the cultural diversity that exists in the bay area. I also realized that healthcare means so much more than providing medical services, and that as an aspiring healthcare provider, I should keep in mind the importance of cultural humility and the social aspect of healthcare."
Future plans?
"I’m an intended Molecular and Cell Biology major, and I aspire to become a healthcare provider in the future."
EVELYN CHEN