At 3:30 am Pacific Standard time, when I left for the airport, I really started to come to terms with the fact that I had two weeks to soak up everything that Northern Ireland could offer me on the interdisciplinary workings of working with children with disabilities. And by 4:00 am, I was on the side of the road with a flat tire, thinking about what Interdisciplinary really means anyway. 

The term Interdisciplinary is defined in the Merriam Webster dictionary as “involving two or more academic, scientific, or artistic disciplines.” To put it simply, it means different people with different knowledge working together. It means that we all have something to contribute. 

This summer, I have the wonderful opportunity to participate in a 2-week program of Interprofessional Studies in Health, Rehabilitation, and Education in Northern Ireland. We will have the lovely experience of hearing from many professionals and learning about children with disabilities. 

Even though my program’s coursework is based on this idea of interdisciplinary and more so interprofessional, I hope to explore it even more in every opportunity I have. In the classroom, it is interdisciplinary or interprofessional, but outside of it, we may just refer to it as collaboration. From the classroom, to our cultural excursions and discussions, to simply getting around the city with my classmates, I have the opportunity to really explore what it means for different minds to come together for common goals. 

Also, this is my first time in Europe! I have been out of the country before, but this is my first experience in Europe. I have already met so many lovely people, from bus drivers and tour guides to restaurant workers. I am excited to learn more and explore the differences between Belfast in Northern Ireland, part of the UK, and Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland. These places are rich in history, and I am excited to explore and experience how they function differently from one another and from home. 

With this vigorous program that has such a short time frame, I hope to apply myself to the best of my abilities and really grow my skills in communication and task management while I’m here. We have been told by our instructor that we must look up to see the real beauty of Belfast and I hope to see it all. The information that I learn and connect with here will surely help me to be a better professional back in the United States.