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…

One of the most powerful “wow” moments I experienced during my program was visiting Vinzidorf, a men’s homeless shelter. While I’ve volunteered at various shelters in the U.S., Vinzidorf felt truly unique. One of the first things I noticed upon walking in was a stack of crates filled with beer, and I admit I felt…

Walking through the streets of Graz, I felt a certain calmness in the air. No one hurried past me, no servers rushed their guests through meals, and no cars sped through crosswalks. Life seemed to move at a gentler pace. In the US, a strong grind culture exists. Our society is constantly hustling to get…

As I prepare to leave to study healthcare systems in Austria and Slovenia, it’s important to set some expectations for how my experiences will shape me. Personally, I believe traveling abroad will strengthen my confidence. Traveling requires navigating foreign environments, and though I will be surrounded by my peers and will have the guidance of…