I think the main driving factor of my professional growth from this program is the insight I gain from learning new perspectives. Being thrown into an entirely different culture, a brand-new place, and having to figure out how to navigate how to live has provided me skills that I could not obtain anywhere else. I have to learn how to connect and communicate with people using a language I barely know. I have to learn how to adapt my views and values to align with theirs. I’ve learned how different people value widely different things, and even if I do not agree with them, I have to respect them. My problem-solving skills have improved tenfold just by learning how to communicate when there are words I do not know in Spanish. I am personally not a hundred percent certain about my major at this time, and one of my hopes for this program is that the hospital and company visits will allow me to see the day-to-day work and projects that are completed. This will allow me to be confident in my decision and ensure I have a fulfilling career in a field I enjoy. 

Personally, I want to see and learn everything I can about Spain. Learning the history of a country allows insights to be made about the culture and why there are lasting tensions or traditions still standing in the world today. I love being able to connect the past to the present. I also cannot wait to see the nature. I believe that seeing the different environment and being outdoors will be a relaxing reset from the harsh lights of Hillman. Even though it is nerve-wracking, I hope to practice my Spanish. I think that learning someone’s native language is a huge sign of respect, and it will also help further develop my communication skills. Overall, this trip will provide me with insight for my professional career and develop my communication skills more than any other experience I have had before.

As of now, I did end up changing my major due to the program and Dr. Borovetz. Every company excursion had me in awe of the work they were doing. Dr. Borovetz’s research at Pitt too is truly inspiring. I never really considered research my future. But after seeing the oreka and balance projects, I truly believe research will be for me.