Hello! I’m Anthony, a rising senior at Pitt. I major in Public Health on a pre-med track and am pursuing a certificate in Bioethics. After graduation, I plan to attend medical school and continue my research endeavors. I’ve worked on a variety of research projects, but my experience in a new country has exceeded all my expectations!

I’ve spent 2 weeks here and will spend the next 8 weeks in Zurich, Switzerland. As an exchange student at the University of Zurich and a Clinical Research Intern at the University Hospital, I’ve found myself enjoying Zurich’s beautiful weather and trying new things, while also spending long hours at a computer. I’ve always thought studying abroad would be out of my reach as a pre-medical student, so when I worked towards making a global experience happen, I was blown away by how steep the learning curve truly was.

Traveling to a new country alone has been incredibly humbling and eye-opening. I’ve encountered cultural differences, unfamiliar accommodations, and challenges in meeting new people and navigating the area. However, since my arrival, joining group sports and engaging with other students has made it much easier to connect with people and get to know the surroundings better. One thing I cannot recommend enough is finding people who are doing something similar to what you are, because that shared sense of unfamiliarity has made my connections so much stronger.

These experiences have already helped me professionally by broadening my view of another healthcare ecosystem and personally by introducing me to people I otherwise would never have had the opportunity to meet. I’ve also connected with amazing individuals from Germany, Austria, and Canada, as well as locals who have shown me around and given me a taste of everyday European culture. I look forward to trying new food and traveling with what I hope will be lifelong friends!