During the first term of my fourth year at Oregon State, I had the opportunity to study at Lancaster University in England. Because I had already completed most of my coursework at Oregon State University as a biology major, I had the luxury of selecting courses more out of interest than obligation when I traveled abroad. This also gave me more freedom to take advantage of traveling through Europe while I was stationed in Lancaster. Taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I was able to make friends from all over the world and travel to places in Europe I could have only dreamt of before. Some of the most exciting and beautiful scenes of my adventures include Oxford, Edinburgh, Paris, and Venice. I remember the physically demanding hike up Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, the awkward and confusing maze through the London tubes, the haunting nighttime stroll through the Whitby graves, and romantic gondola rides through the Venetian canals. The sweet, savory tastes of German wine from the Rhine Valley linger as much as the feel of the fresh, misty air of the English Lake District. Along the way, I grew accustomed to the English customs and have even brought some of it back with me, including the famous afternoon tea break.
Despite all the adventures, the most important lesson I learned from this experience was learning how to adapt myself to entirely different social situations. Living in Corvallis, I had a sense of security and comfort with my family and friends all in close proximity to me. By living abroad for three months, I had to learn how to construct a new social system around me within a new culture in a relatively short period of time. I ended up making lots of new friends with whom I continue to stay in contact with despite the short timeframe I was there. These experiences in social interaction helped me recognize where I fit in the world as a global citizen. As a future healthcare professional, I will be constantly interacting with different people in different social situations, and being able to problem-solve through the emotional, social, and mental obstacles is something I will always have to work through in an ever-changing world.
After experiencing so much abroad, I feel as though my perspective on both myself and the world I live in have broadened since I have returned. I would most definitely love to go back to England to meet up with old friends and travel some more, but I know that this first trip was essential for me in recognizing my place in the world and what I can do to contribute to it as a healthcare professional. Younger students walk up to me today asking how my experiences abroad changed me, and I reply by saying that not only did I have a great time but that it was the best thing I had have ever done for myself as an HC student. Not only did I take back lasting memories of my adventures abroad, but I feel as though I came back a richer and more fulfilled person than I ever was before. I humbly extend my sincerest appreciation and thanks to the HC; my personal mentor, Indira Rajagopal; and to the HC Experience Scholarship for making all my adventures possible in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Nice story Guys