Hi everyone! My name is Addison Keady, and I am from Colorado Springs, Colorado. I will be a sophomore in the fall pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I love to travel and be outside, try new foods, workout, and hang out with friends. I love experiencing new things, and I am always up for an adventure, so I am super excited to be participating in Plus3 this summer!

I think that this program is special because it fosters experiential learning, and we get the opportunity to gain exposure to different cultures and communities. I think this is very important for gaining diverse perspectives and experience for both personal growth and as a nurse as I will be working with a diverse range of patients. 

Specifically, I will be traveling to Spain, and I chose this program because it aligns with my interest in technology in healthcare. In fact, I almost decided to major in biochemical engineering, but I ultimately chose nursing due to the patient care aspect of nursing.

I intend to grow my cultural awareness and perspective, and I want to gain a better understanding of cultural differences and physical and operational distinctions in healthcare; this includes technology and new and innovative practices in healthcare, especially since technology has and will continue to advance. 

While I am excited to learn about the healthcare distinctions in Spain, I ultimately hope that this experience helps me learn adaptability both personally and professionally. Spain’s culture and customs are pretty different than they are here, and I will have to learn how to navigate a new city, language, and just overall practices such as eating. I am someone who religiously follows a schedule, and it can be hard for me when there is not a lot of structure in my day. Additionally, I know that Spain has a slow coffee culture, and I am someone who loves to get up and moving in the morning. I think adjusting to a new culture and different practices will be difficult for me, but I think it will really push me out of my comfort zone and help me grow. 

I am excited to get the chance to form friendships with both nursing students and engineering students, and I hope to carry on these relationships throughout my life. I cannot wait to explore Balboa, and I am so excited to make lifelong memories!