New horizons, cultural experiences, career advancement, exploration, and personal enrichment are words that described my expectations before study abroad. In many ways, these expectations were exceeded, but what most surprised me was coming back with a greater sense of hope and confidence. Prior to leaving for my study abroad I felt anxious about my upcoming graduation from UWB. When I heard that there would be opportunities for mini-internships abroad I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to prepare myself for graduation and possibly help me find post-graduate opportunities. However, committing to a study abroad trip can feel daunting, there’s cost, safety, time, interest, and locational considerations to be made. I was on the fence between several programs but was grateful for the study abroad advising to help me through the decision process. I was apprehensive at first about the Jordan program because everyone around me was concerned about Jordan being in close vicinity to warring countries, but I was reassured by many people that study abroad programs have certain safety regulations that would not allow us to go if dangers were severe. I knew that the Jordan program was the best suited program for me because it was the most related to my career interests and most feasible for me logistically.
The Jordan biotechnology program was approximately a month long with a small group of about 8 students from UW Bothell. We attended classes throughout the week with a group of students from the Hashemite University in Jordan learning about biotechnology, within the context of the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. We also had several visits to clinics, labs, and corporations that practice biotechnology. Near the end of the study abroad we presented a final group presentation that enhanced cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills. Additionally, we had many cultural excursions, tours, and free time to explore the area and learn more about the culture in Jordan. My favorite parts of the trip were the opportunities I got to talk with the students from Hashemite University. We had many hilarious moments trying to learn Arabic words from the students, in addition to invaluable conversations about global health issues, cultural beliefs, and hearing more about these students’ hopes and dreams. Each student’s passions inspired me and gave me so much hope, knowing that there are so many individuals across the world that care deeply about the health issues that affect so many people across the world. These students taught me what it looks like to take initiative for what makes their hearts ache. I’ll never forget talking with students that would tear up every time they would think of the suffering that many people face in countries that are experiencing wars. It touched my heart to see this sense of kindness and compassion. Additionally, one student talked about her desire to discuss with a professor a topic she felt was addressed in an inappropriate manner during the lecture. These actions have shown me what it looks like to stand up for what I believe in with confidence. These influences were pivotal for my self development and ability to handle group conflict within the program. Personally, I prefer to avoid conflict and maintain peace with others even if I have a disagreement but seeing how the students in Jordan are not afraid to speak their mind taught me to take courageous steps towards working through disagreements, dissatisfactions, and concerns on a personal and professional level. When it came to working on a group project together, I had not realized how complex and difficult it would be to work together as a team. There were language barriers that made it hard to communicate and understand each other, in addition to variable ways of speaking and interacting with each other. At one point, I decided to individually talk to someone about some issues I saw in the group and personal concerns that I had regarding their contribution to the project. I was grateful that as a result they did their absolute best to work on the issues I brought up and it truly helped the group overall. I saw that my voice and feedback on how we can improve working as a team proved to be valuable in helping the group move forward, and was a way I was able to positively influence others.
As the program wrapped up I kept thinking how much I did not want to leave. I felt that I had fallen in love with Jordan, so I started looking for future opportunities in Jordan. Within the last week of the program I decided to apply for a Fulbright program in Jordan for the next year. My desire to find post-graduate opportunities was not only fulfilled but exceeded. I never imagined that the post-graduate opportunity was one that would provide me the chance to return to Jordan for an extended period of time and I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity and future prospect. What I learned and valued about Jordan culture included their hospitality towards others, from seeing workers pump gas for cars to being startled when someone offers me the necklace they are wearing because I said it looks nice, the people in Jordan are so hospitable. From every conversation to shared meals and adorable cats in the street, I felt the warmth of the culture in Jordan as a refreshing contrast to Seattle’s freeze.
If I were to have done anything different during this trip, I would have seeked out communities that I am interested in checking out during free time to meet more people that I could interact with outside of the University. Leaving this experience I have come back with so much hope and confidence that a career in healthcare can be used to meaningfully contribute to global impacts for a sustainable future. Most notably I have learned how fulfilling and meaningful the sustainable development goals feel to me, and this will certainly shape who I am and what I will do in my future.
