Second Year

This year, I have been fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to travel and expand my knowledge. During my spring break, I participated in a study abroad with the College of Allied Health Sciences to Costa Rica for the social work service abroad. This one week had a drastic impact on who I am and my aspirations in my personal and professional life.

 

Throughout the 8 weeks of the course, I had been educated on what goes on in Costa Rica as well as its neighboring country, Nicaragua. We had been prepared so that once there, we would be able to be respectful towards those we interact with and the country we are in. I felt very prepared prior to going on this trip and felt that I had many resources to support me. Once there I realized that no matter how much preparation had went in to teaching us prior to departing, nothing was better at showing the true conditions of parts of the country and for Nicaraguan refugees than actually being there. I have always wanted to be a part of helping with global issues that align with that which this program was involved in. This experience solidified my drive to be involved and have an impact both personally and professionally.

 

Being involved in this experience I have refocused my thinking towards new opportunities to see how they could align with my goal to be more involved on global issues involving forcibly displaced or stateless individuals. This has encouraged me to find ways to be involved and find organizations to join to get started next year.

 

I also had the chance to lead a children’s group while on this trip. This was an extremely valuable and integral part of leaving an impact on me. This has encouraged me to want to rethink my professional goals. I have decided to look into the programs I am applying to for graduate school and see what opportunities they have regarding this global issue. I want to ensure that programs that I am applying to have opportunities for me to gain more knowledge and further my involvements. I also was able to reinforce my desire to have a pediatric specialized career as a health care provider. I loved getting to work with these kids and truly impacted me in ways I never expected.

 

This year has been one of the most impactful of my life. I hope this next one is full of opportunities like this experience and can partake in a similar one again.