This summer, I was a part of Ireland: Resilience and Resistance, a study abroad program that focused on public health policies, the Arts, and Irish history. There is a “before” and “after” in my life and understanding of public governance that began after being accepted into this program. There were around fifteen students, and we started our journey on campus with a weekly pre-departure seminar. In the pre-departure period, we learned about Irish history, the good and the bad; we learned that Ireland has been unfairly oppressed and strongly resistant to it.
Day one, I landed in Dublin. The things around me reminded me of the pre-departure class. I was experiencing the lessons firsthand. For example, while walking through the city center, I saw health agencies for the public, the same ones that we had been introduced to in class. These agencies provide health cards that residents use to access their healthcare system. I entered and talked to the front desk team. They explained their system and the timeline involved; I saw residents waiting to be seen. It gave me the full picture. This loan of experience is only possible when you travel and broaden your horizons. It is immensely different to learn about the topic theoretically compared to seeing how it works in real life.
During my time in Ireland, I had many opportunities to talk with locals and become more involved in their day-to-day lives, which helped me understand the country’s decisions around public health decisions and the repercussion of their history. I learned that their healthcare system is not one-size-fits-all, but overall, all feel supported by their policies and governing strategies. I also found out that their work-life balance is different! There is a public expectation to socialize and belong to the community, which is reflected in their healthcare policies. This is something I could only learn by interacting with the local community in its own environment.
And that is the main difference between the two types of learning: interaction. This is the plus, the added value that can only be given in person, in a real-life situation. This is why studying abroad is unique and an experience that all should have.
I hope to pursue a career in public health after graduation. Learning about the world’s public health system, talking to people that have a different experience than what I am familiar with, and learning more about what works and what needs more effort is formative in my development as a student. Additionally, spending time with others outside of my comfort zone and in a new environment has prepared me for new challenges that will come in my growth as a person, student and professional.
If anyone is thinking about studying abroad, do it. It is an experience you’ll never forget.
