“When I arrived at Princeton I knew I wanted to pursue medicine, but I was still figuring out if this was the right path for me. During my first year, while exploring different courses and possible majors, I realized that if I wanted to seriously consider a career in medicine, I needed to step outside the classroom and spend time with the people medicine is meant to serve. A friend who was then co-director of Princeton Alzheimer’s Buddies introduced me to this student-led organization through the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. I joined as a volunteer. What began as a way to explore clinical service quickly became one of the most meaningful parts of my Princeton experience. Student volunteers visit the memory care unit at Maplewood Senior Living in nearby Plainsboro to spend time with residents living with dementia. As volunteers, and not professional caregivers, we focus on companionship and encourage students to get to know residents by talking about their lives and interests. During visits, we might chat together, do gentle seated exercises, or participate in a craft or other activity. One conversation in particular has stayed with me. A resident told me about starting her own nonprofit organization years ago and how, at the beginning, she felt far from confident and even answering the phone made her nervous. Yet she persevered, learning along the way. At one point she told me something I still think about whenever I feel overwhelmed: ‘You don’t need to be at 100 percent to start.’ Hearing that wisdom from someone who had lived such a full life reshaped how I think about uncertainty and growth. It also helped me realize something unexpected about myself. I discovered how much fulfillment I find in simply listening and being present for others. Through Alzheimer’s Buddies, I have learned how powerful those moments of connection can be. Today, I serve as co-director. The residents I meet each week have strengthened my commitment to become a physician who serves communities that are often overlooked, including people living with Alzheimer’s.”
— Tran Tron ’27; photo by Noel Valero ’82 *86
English
