One of the greatest lessons I learned during my time abroad is the importance of empathy. From the bright walls covered in handmade crafts throughout a Slovenian nursing home to the patience of the social workers at an Austrian health consultation site, there was undoubtedly heart and compassion in the sites we visited. Providing such valuable care requires a willingness to truly understand the struggles of those being helped, and this understanding is often expressed through small yet deeply meaningful details. 

As many volunteers and site leaders shared their presentations regarding the services, I noticed a deep sense of shared humanity. I felt truly inspired to hear how they seek to help others simply because they are fellow human beings. While this program showed me many of the intricacies related to healthcare, it drove home the fact that regardless of logistical issues, quality care is rooted in heart. As I pursue a career in medicine, I will carry these lessons with me and strive to practice as a physician who leads with compassion and never loses sight of the humanity at the core of healthcare.