After having spent an amazing two weeks exploring the city of Belfast and the Northern Coast, it is a sad goodbye. As this was my first experience traveling abroad, I had no solidified expectations of what this trip could be. While in Belfast studying intersectional working within health and rehabilitation sciences, I gained an abundant knowledge of the culture of Northern Ireland and met an amazing new group of friends. The memories I made in a measly two weeks will last a life-time.
During my time staying at Stramillis University College in Belfast, Northern Ireland, I was able to explore the city restaurants, shops, and well-known landmarks. Most in-class days we learned about Neurodevelopmental disorders and the importance of health through various guest lectures. On the days we were not in a lecture hall, we were visiting a local school or foundation that supports students with special needs. We learned an in-depth and invaluable amount of information relating to the healthcare system in Northern Ireland, particularly pertaining to the health care needs of individuals with disabilities. Though every healthcare system has its flaws, we learned what support tactics Northern Ireland has in place to better support families as they learn to care for children with special needs. Many of the schools and foundation supporting special needs children, go beyond to support the families as well. We learned that many special needs schools in Northern Ireland are at capacity, leaving children with special needs to good option. It was interesting to learn how the system in Northern Ireland varies in many ways compared to the set-up in the United States for special needs schools and caring for individuals with special needs.
The rich history Northern Ireland has to offer created an experience unlike any other. I am grateful for the two weeks I had to explore a foreign land with an amazing group of people. In the future, look forward to applying the valuable information I have learned about the importance of multidisciplinary work in the healthcare field.
Thanks for following along with me through this once in a lifetime experience…until next time, goodbye!