The four weeks I spent abroad for the Comparative Healthcare in Graz program felt like a whirlwind of activities and events. After returning to the states and fighting some jetlag, I have had time to reflect on my month in Europe and all that it taught me, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Overall, I had such a great experience on this program. I feel like I really got a holistic overview of what the healthcare systems in Austria and Slovenia are like through site visits, classroom lectures, and discussions with various healthcare professionals of these nations. Additionally, I learned a lot about the history of healthcare and health insurance in the United States, and how the healthcare system we have today came to be. This is knowledge I am sure I will utilize in my future career as a healthcare provider to advocate for patients and operate to the best of my ability within a complex healthcare system.
What I found to be even more important than noticing the differences in healthcare systems between nations was realizing that at their core, healthcare systems and professionals are relatively the same everywhere. They are driven by a need and desire to not only provide quality care to the people of their nations, but to continue advancing and improving the level of care delivered. This is a theme that is not bound by borders of any nation.
In addition to the healthcare component of the program, experiencing the cultures of unfamiliar places felt both incredibly eye-opening and very fulfilling. It was very difficult to go to a foreign place full of unfamiliar people, customs, and languages. However, putting myself outside of my comfort zone and facing the challenges that came along with being in an entirely new place taught me many lessons about resourcefulness, problem-solving, and adaptability.
I would strongly encourage any and all Frederick Honors College students to pursue a global program. I view the challenges faced, lessons learned, and memories made through a global experience as incredibly valuable, and things that I know I will use and carry with me throughout the rest of my time at Pitt and beyond.
