08/11/2026
St. Agnes Connections Across the World:
Caroline Palamountain ’24 and Angelina Rassi ’23 in Cusco, Peru
CAROLINE PALAMOUNTAIN ’24
As a pre-health student, Caroline wanted the chance to explore the world while helping local dentists provide free oral care. She learned about VAW Global at UT Austin and had heard from fellow pre-dental students who had participated in the program.
It was important to Caroline to work with a program that emphasized collaboration with local communities and doctors rather than bringing in its own doctors and resources. They worked with four local dentists who had been involved with the program in Cusco for years. The interns were placed with host families and guided by local staff.
The most impactful part of Caroline’s experience was her interaction with the doctors and patients. She was struck by the patients’ patience, open-mindedness and positive attitudes about receiving care, even with long waits or communication challenges. She was equally grateful for the dentists, who were instructive, uplifting and passionate about teaching the interns the “why” and “how” behind each procedure.
ANGELINA RASSI ’23
As a Health and Society major on the pre-dental track at The University of Texas at Austin, Angelina wanted hands-on experience while serving communities with limited access to dental care. She joined UT Austin’s Volunteers Around the World dental program for a two-week dental service trip to Cusco, Peru, combining her interests in dentistry, service, travel and learning about new cultures.
The most meaningful part of Angelina’s time in Peru was seeing the direct impact the clinic had on patients who otherwise may not have had access to dental care. She also loved that the experience combined cultural immersion with the opportunity to help others.
THEIR SHARED EXPERIENCE IN CUSCO
By coincidence—or divine intervention—Caroline and Angelina were assigned as roommates and quickly became inseparable. Each morning, they sat together at the front of the bus for the long drive to clinic and talked about their shared experiences at St. Agnes and where their journeys at UT Austin had taken them.
After clinic, they explored Cusco with the other interns, experienced the local culture and enjoyed dinner together as a group. They especially loved the ceviche and toasted corn.
Their time in Cusco also coincided with Corpus Christi, a major cultural and Catholic celebration with processions, music, dancing, traditional foods and centuries-old customs reflecting both Catholic and Indigenous Andean traditions. Angelina also visited Machu Picchu and went ziplining through the Sacred Valley.
For both alumnae, the trip brought together service, health care, cultural immersion and new friendships—and showed just how small the St. Agnes world can be!
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