Kayla Smith '25 spent Mod 2 far from Madeira's 376-acre campus, instead delving into Spanish language immersion and exploring the field of midwifery in Cusco, Peru. She chatted with us over the Thanksgiving break to share a bit about the powerful impact of this internship experience.
Madeira: Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Kayla: I am a senior boarding student from Easton, MD. I’m co-team captain of the swim team, Co-Head of DEI for Student government, and member of Madeira Chorus. My sister is a freshman who also attends Madeira.
Madeira: Please share a bit about your Co-Curriculum experiences from 10th and 11th grade. How did those internships shape your plans for your senior year placement?
Kayla: My experiences in 10th and 11th grade guided my choice to intern in Peru for senior year. As a sophomore, I worked at Garfield Elementary School. There, I learned that I loved helping others and learning new languages. There were many kids whose first language was not English, and guiding them through math classes was a highlight of my time at Garfield. During my junior year on Capitol Hill, I worked for Congresswoman Veronica Escobar [D-TX-16]. On the Hill, I fell in love with health policy, and I attended many briefings on the subject. I also got to practice my Spanish because many of Congresswoman Escobar’s constituents spoke the language.
Madeira: Why midwifery, and why Peru?
Kayla: I chose midwifery because the reproductive field is something I’d like to pursue in the future. My main goal is to become a reproductive endocrinologist, but I’ve always had an interest in midwifery as well. I chose Peru because it’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit; Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list since the 3rd grade! As a bonus, I could practice my Spanish during my placement as well.
Madeira: Give us an overview of your typical day on your midwifery internship.
Kayla: A typical day at my placement would start at 7 a.m. when I arrived at the health center. Most days, I stayed in the OB/GYN ward where I shadowed doctors and helped the nurses. Most of the patients were there for monthly pregnancy checkups. During these appointments, I learned new vocabulary, new skills, and practiced tracking babies' heartbeats with a Doppler ultrasound.
Madeira: Was there a standout moment you could share with us?
Kayla: One of the most memorable moments was witnessing my first live birth. Hearing the cries of a healthy baby boy and seeing the mother’s courage as she brought him into the world was deeply moving. It was a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to bring life into this world and the beauty of new beginnings.
Madeira: What are some of the biggest takeaways from this experience? Do you see this internship impacting your future plans? Do you have any advice for fellow students who may be contemplating going abroad for their senior year Co-Curriculum placement?
Kayla: My biggest takeaways from this experience are: Don’t be afraid to try new things and take every opportunity that is given to you. Madeira offers such a great chance to explore anything you desire. I highly recommend that Madeira seniors use their Co-Curriculum placements to try the thing they’ve always wanted to do or see the place they’ve always wanted to visit. Completing my midwifery internship in Peru has reinforced what I’ve always known: the medical field is definitely the place for me.
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