Spring Break 2025 Participant
I'm not quite sure if this applies to future KU students or future study-abroad students, so I will answer both! For future KU students, I strongly encourage looking into a study abroad experience. As someone coming from a background of poverty, this merely seemed to be a dream that I most likely could never achieve. Do not lose hope! KU offers a large variety of resources and financial aid to make these dreams become a reality, and while the application process is long and takes a lot of effort, it all becomes incredibly worth it once you set foot in the country you are set to study in. Simply expanding your horizons both academically and culturally is one of the best ways to become more knowledgeable and experienced in your field of choice, and in addition, it is so much fun! For future study abroad students, I cannot express enough how important it is to read into the culture and society you plan to visit and be aware of any shocks that may come. For Italy specifically, I definitely wish I had put even more effort into learning at least conversational phrases. While the people at your institutions may be forgiving, that does not always translate to the public. Additionally, Italians are very quiet people! If you speak at a normal American volume level, you absolutely will be stared at. That being said, just out of respect, read up on your country of choice and be prepared for even the smallest things! Oh! Definitely do not take it for granted either. While eating at McDonald's may be enticing, I strongly encourage challenging yourself to not eat anywhere or anything you can normally find in the States. Try shopping outside tourist traps, support local businesses, and visit as many museums and sites as possible, no matter how tired you are! Jet lag is rough, but you will regret taking that nap as soon as you step foot back into the States. I promise.
Spring Break 2025 Participant
Finally being able to fly to another country and experience an entirely new culture and their way of advocating for public health and livelihood was more rewarding than I ever initially imagined. I believe I was able to better appreciate this trip because I paid for it entirely by myself with the help of the scholarships I had also earned through hard work. I had a very challenging year, facing obstacles and issues that had a strong impact on my ability to succeed, focus, and grow academically. It is safe to say that I greatly enjoyed being able to escape to a foreign country where all I had to do was immerse myself in the surrounding culture and learn about their health education, health systems, and health policies (all of which I find fascinating). I felt that I had a changing experience while abroad, feeling more awake and ready to battle my festering problems upon returning to the United States. What else was rewarding? Being met with all sorts of new connections and resources regarding academics and healthcare abroad, which in turn makes me more competitive regarding medical school, research, and job applications. Oh! Another reward? All of the friends I had made on this trip! I met different students in my program from all sorts of different backgrounds, majors, ages, etc. Each one of them added a unique spark to our adventures abroad and I truly enjoyed how inclusive, kind, and excited each and every participant was.
Spring Break 2025 Participant
My favorite part of the program was getting to talk personally with healthcare professionals abroad and see how their culture and beliefs influenced their profession.
