My time in my study abroad program Healthcare Delivery in Switzerland has been a fantastic experience that has left an indelible mark on my life. As I reflect upon my travel to Switzerland, I am grateful for the opportunity and personal growth this experience has brought me.
Out of all the impressive aspects of Switzerland, such as its food and rich culture, its landscapes surprised me the most. When my classmates and I traveled by bus to go to Interlaken, a canton famous for its beautiful lake and mountains, I was fascinated by the landscape I was greeted with when we arrived. The lakes were a rich blue color, and the mountains had a demanding presence that could not be captured by my phone camera. I had also ventured to Grindelwald with my mother after my Pitt program ended. The cottages sitting atop the rolling hills of the countryside made me feel at peace.
For those who are studying abroad, I would advise traveling in groups or pairs so that you are less likely to be lost. Wifi can be spotty in some areas of your country, so it is best to stay with someone else who could possibly access the internet. Navigating the route in a new country alone could be difficult. Another piece of advice would be to be open-minded and step out of your comfort zone. Try to embrace the unfamiliar and try a new cuisine, or attempt to go to a festival to immerse yourself in a unique culture. You never know if you will discover something that you love, like a genre of music or a type of food. As someone who is used to Asian food, I am not a big fan of cheese. However, when I went to Switzerland, I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried fondue and raclette, which I ended up loving.
My summer program has inspired me to pursue travel nursing and become more involved in health equity policies. Healthcare is so vastly different in Switzerland than it is in America, which has pushed me to research more methods of healthcare internationally. Working with different forms of healthcare could be beneficial to my knowledge of the most effective practice of healthcare delivery. Switzerland’s patient-centered care shows a humane approach to addiction and mental health treatment. By being more involved in health policy and taking in what Switzerland has taught me, America could benefit from Switzerland’s practices.
On a personal level, Switzerland has given me a sense of independence and adaptability. Navigating a foreign country, learning to communicate through language barriers, enforcing cultural sensitivity, and embracing different perspectives have enforced skills that are important to me as a future nurse.