It has been just two weeks since we left Belfast, but it feels like much longer. The Social Roots of Medical Innovation program was truly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Belfast was a city completely unknown to me, and this program was not at all what I expected, in the best way possible. It surprised me each and every day.

Reflecting on my time in this program, I have grown so much academically, culturally, and socially. Throughout our time in Pittsburgh and Belfast, we explored the social contexts of trauma and community care and how they have shaped healthcare systems. As someone who plans to pursue a career in healthcare/medicine, this program demonstrated how critical it is to understand communities and their historical barriers in order to provide meaningful care. Physically witnessing communities that have lived through conflict, and directly interacting with them, reinforced for me that this kind of engagement is essential to breaking down barriers in healthcare.

We heard from faculty at Queen’s University Belfast and field experts on a range of unique topics that deepened our connection to the city and its communities. This program was rooted in experiential learning; we engaged with different people and parts of the city every day. Throughout, I formed valuable connections with faculty, professors, community members, and classmates that I know will last well beyond the program itself.

Outside the classroom, I made countless memories with new friends, exploring the city, trying new foods, listening to live music, and truly getting to know one another. Before this program, I always knew I wanted to study abroad, but as the start date approached, I grew nervous about joining a program full of strangers in a country I had never visited. I worried about the coursework and whether I would make friends. This program surprised me in ways I never could have anticipated. I made memories and gained perspectives I never would have encountered otherwise, and I will carry the people I met, the lessons I learned, and the experiences I had with me forever.

To any first-year student nervous about studying abroad or trying something new, do it. Take the leap. The Frederick Firsts program is an incredible way to close out your first year and step into something you will carry with you throughout your time at Pitt and beyond. I promise you will not regret it!