Before I applied to the study abroad program, I understood that this opportunity could help me qualify for a broader range of employment. Linking the skills that I picked up on while studying abroad and applying them to the workforce is essential. The international knowledge that I have gained over the past few weeks has been monumental to my personal and professional growth. Here is a reflection on some of my top moments and learning experiences while in London. Influential Moments: What was the most influential thing you learned during your international experience? What are some things you didn't expect? What surprised you about yourself?
. Learning about public health in London made me realize the diversity of the different cultures, beliefs, and morals in the United Kingdom. Traveling outside of my comfort zone has been a milestone for me. Putting myself in the United Kingdom (initially by myself) has helped me improve my self-reliance and has helped me develop cultural sensitivity. These qualities are essential for my future profession. Taking public health in London has broadened my perspective on life. The skills and life lessons that I have picked up while taking courses in London will influence my work ethic in my future profession and my vision throughout life. Learning something new every day while taking courses in London has helped me develop a global mindset that I can carry on into the work place. Health & Well-being: Describe how you kept yourself healthy during the international experience. Identify additional ways that could have improved your wellbeing. One of my favorite things about the United Kingdom was how easy it was to find healthy food options. There was a variety of food options that were organic, authentic, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free. Naturally, I was eating much healthier than I was in the States. I occasionally went for morning runs and exercised on my own with the little time I had in the morning before I started my day. As many did, I got sick while I was in London. To help prevent any illnesses, I could have brought my multivitamins. I also think that walking everyday helped with my health as well. Transferable Skills: Studying abroad makes you marketable to future employers. The skills and knowledge you acquire abroad may be easily transferrable into the working world. It is up to you to demonstrate the link between your experience and the specific skills valued by the company or organization that you want to work for. The following list of questions is intended to help you begin to identify some of the international knowledge, skills and experience you may possess. Take time to consider your answers to these questions: Flexibility: How have you developed greater tolerance for ambiguity? Are you a productive team player? - I have developed greater tolerance for ambiguity by readjusting myself to two new cultures in just under five weeks. During this time, I was fortunate enough to explore London and Amsterdam. London alone is a huge city. Little did I know that one stop in the underground was a change of lifestyle and environment in the area. Working with other students to navigate in a foreign city made me a stronger team player. From the five-hour time change, to the difference in summer weather and the change in the British way of life, I have gained perception of a culture that I was unfamiliar with. Cultural Competency: How have you gained new cross-cultural skills, sensitivity, and awareness?
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Traveling outside of America has help me establish a new perspective on our country and the United Kingdom. Taking epidemiology in London has helped me develop a global mindset and cultural sensitivity more than anything. What motivated me most about studying abroad before my departure was the opportunity to gain academic experiences that classroom settings do not provide, expanding my personal and professional growth, and having the chance of meeting a diverse range of people in a foreign country. I couldn’t feel more fulfilled of these goals. Learning about epidemiology has expanded my mind and allowed me to learn not only about the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases but about the different cultures, beliefs, and morals in the United Kingdom. Traveling outside of my comfort zone has been a milestone for me. Putting myself in the United Kingdom (initially by myself) has helped me improve my self-reliance and has helped me develop cultural sensitivity. These qualities are essential for my future professions. Taking epidemiology in London has broadened my perspective on life. The skills and life lessons that I have picked up while taking this course in London will influence my work ethic in my future profession and my vision throughout life. Learning something new every day that I was taking this course has helped me develop a global mindset that I can carry on into the work place. To me, perspective is everything. Without having an open mind to the world and the people in it, it can be hard to develop cultural sensitivity and perception. Studying abroad in London has taught me lessons beyond epidemiology (which I still value the subject). I hope sharing my study abroad experience with future employers, students, friends, etc. will motivate them to explore the world outside of America and will help them develop a global mindset as I did while exploring London. I was lucky enough to have the privilege of exploring all my areas of interest during my study abroad experience while taking epidemiology. From learning about the Queens square, John Snow and Edward Jenner, I was completely enlightened. Before this trip to London, it all seemed so unreal to have the opportunity to learn and actually see these museums, art galleries, and gardens in real life. This experience has truly been amazing. I hope to have the opportunity to see these places again one day and to share my experience with others. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to see the pump that John Snow removed, it was still a wonderful experience to walk around soho and learn about him. The outbreak of cholera in soho back in the 1800’s was devastating. Among many other epidemiologist, I thought John Snow was inspirational. Before this class, I didn’t know that he went against the government to try to stop the outbreak. I thought he was a hero for taking control of the outbreak and removing the pump so others would not get the disease. Here is a picture of us to the left at John Snows pub after our tour. I think seeing Edward Jenner’s statue in Kensington Palace was one of my favorite places that we explored out of my areas of interest. The fountains, landscape, and the nature around was breathtaking. The gardens nature and seeing where the world’s first antibiotic was discovered by Alexander Fleming was the highlight of that day for me. Walking around, learning about history that changed the world was a great experience. I didn’t realize that there was a small area in London called little Venice. I have never been to Italy; however, this place looked just like the pictures of it. The overall nature of this experience of learning about penicillin, small pox and little Venice was amazing. As soon as we got to Queens square our first day of class, I knew where we were. Everything that I have read and learned about Queens square, I saw in the statue. Putting what I read on paper into real life was so exciting for me to experience. It’s such a unique way of learning. The buildings around the garden focused on the medicine of neurology and research on health care due to the history of the statues. Learning about his research was great for me to learn as a public health major and for my future nursing profession. Traveling all around London for the past week and a half has been an experience of a life time. From visiting multiple museums, exploring the London eye, and embracing the British culture I have truly valued every day of this trip so far. I look forward to the next couple weeks. It saddens me to be near the end of Intro to Epidemiology in London with professor Debate. Some of the most valuable experiences for me personally while studying abroad has been visiting multiple museums. Before I came to London, I think the last time that I have been to a museum was for a field trip in middle school. Studying abroad as an adult, I have truly valued the beauty and education that comes from taking the time to embrace a museum. All the museums that we have come across were great; however, one of my favorite museums was the Queens Gallery during our time of having the London pass. Learning about Canaletto paintings and the art of Venice made me value the potential that art has on another level. Also, aside from visiting my favorite museum that day, I had to navigate by myself that afternoon because I woke up late. When I first got to London, I was very intimidated by even the thought to travel anywhere by myself because of how busy the city was. I wasn’t very familiar with my surroundings. They say the best way to get to know a city is by getting lost in it. I couldn’t agree more now. The ability to navigate with the phone down is such an important skill throughout life. I learned a few things about myself the day I had to navigate around London by myself to get to the Queens Gallery. I also picked up on some valuable skills that will be great for me in the work place. Not having much service on my phone while traveling through the underground to figure out where I was walking to next required me to talk to many British locals. Luckily, we spoke the same language, just with different accents. By getting lost by myself for a little while I picked up on cross-cultural communication skills more than any other time that I have been here. I realized that this skill is essential to my success abroad, and it will teach me how to interact with people from all different backgrounds, professionally. Overall, getting lost by myself had its benefits and gave me valuable lessons personally and professionally. Here are a few pictures from Queens Gallery! It seems like as my days in London continue, the excursions get better! Today we visited the Old Operating Theater. Everything about this museum has enlightened me. I knew when I did my research on this place, I would love it! As mentioned before, after I get my degree in public health I plan on switching gears to another bachelor’s degree in nursing. Not only has this excursion enhanced my understanding and appreciation in public health, it will also help me have a deeper understanding of my future profession in nursing due to learning about the history of the old fashioned medical equipment, techniques in operating on patients and a variety of ways to make pills as well. I thought this excursion was amazing. It was an honor to be a part of this learning experience. To even think that there used to be a wooden pocket box of dissection instruments seems so unreal compared to the equipment that we have in today’s generation. In these wooden pocket boxes included dissection chain used to pin back dissected layer, chisel, and amputation blades. Also, exploring the garden and learning about the nature of different herbs that past health professionals used to make different pills/drugs to help cure illnesses and diseases was fascinating as well. I thought that this was essential for epidemiologist to help take control of diseases and other factors relating to health. The work of an epidemiologist took a lot of hard work and was a challenging job during these days. The progress that we have made since the 1800’s in the medial field is incredible. I was surprised to find out that the rich people hired a surgeon to come into the comfort of their own home to operate on them on their kitchen counter, while the poorer families had to lay on a wooden (extremely uncomfortable) table and are watched by over one hundred male medical students while being operated by a less experienced surgeon. Although we have come a long way in the medical field, looking at the old-fashioned way of performing medical procedures makes me grateful to see how far we have come with progress. Here are some pictures from my experience today. Every day that I am in London I am amazed by the new things that I learn and all the places that I go. I have been on the go since I have been in London and I still can’t get enough of this city! I have been enjoying every excursion since my arrival. Exploring the city of Oxford has by far been the most beautiful place that I have seen while in the United Kingdom. Oxford was filled with unique architecture, history, and museums throughout the city. As soon as we got into the city, we went to the Museum of the History of Science. I must say, this museum was filled with a variety of ancient instruments that famous epidemiologist/scientist have used in the past. After learning about these scientist in class and going to Oxford to see these instruments for my own eyes was incredible. This whole experience of studying abroad was been a dream come true. One instrument that I found interesting was the Silver microscope that King George III used in the 1700’s. Compared to the microscopes that we use today, I found it to be much more detailed within how it was built. The lenses were used as simple research on one side or as part of a compound system on another. This instrument was essential for public health to discover different types of cells that could lead to different diseases. Although this instrument wasn’t as advanced as the one we use today, it makes me appreciate and value the development of these tools to find further diseases. The development of science has come a long way. The expansion of epidemiology begins with a microscope. This whole museum has given me a deeper understanding of public health and epidemiology. Aside from the Museum of the History of Science, we stumbled into a college tour at the University of Oxford. Before my trip to Oxford, England all I really knew about this city was that it was related to Harry Potter (which I’m not a huge fan of). Little did I know how much the city of Oxford and the university had to offer. The tour even made me consider transferring for my masters. They even have majors for population health. Learning further about public health at a major university in England would increase my understanding of public health all around the world. This university makes me have more appreciation for public health. Here are a few pictures that I took throughout my experience in Oxford. One excursion that really helped me learn and understand epidemiology/public health was the Medical Bloomsbury tour. In my previous blog, I mentioned how much I looked forward to visiting queens square due to the nature and history around it. Overall, this tour covered the top medical areas in London such as, Brunswick Square, Queen Square and history of its hospitals and notable residents (and treatment of George III). Here is a picture that I took while on the tour to the left. Although Queens Square is only a garden, it has so much more meaning to it. The buildings around it were associated with medicine, in particularly neurology. The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), is the UK's largest dedicated neurological and neurosurgical hospital in the United Kingdom. These buildings were built for teaching, training and a variety research studies in neurology due to treating George III with a mental illness. This excursion made me realize how important it is for epidemiologist to keep up with everyday research in finding and containing diseases, in particularly in the brain for this area. As important as public health is, it was often overlooked hundreds of years ago. Promoting a healthy life style and preventing diseases throughout the human body is (and will always be) essential for preventing diseases and keeping up with our overall well-being. As mentioned in a previous post, the great Ormond hospital was one of my favorites as well. Learning about the Brunswick square was significant to learning while studying abroad as well. Brunswick square was a garden in London that over looked the University. It was interesting to me how many people and students took the time to sit outside and study. Going on these medical tours in London helped me have a wider view on epidemiology and the importance of it today. I couldn’t image living in an era that didn’t know nearly as much as we do today. The tours that we visited so far have shaped epidemiology throughout the world and helped scientist have a better undemanding of how it works. I have been in London for less than a week and have already fallen in love with this city! Representing the University of South Florida while studying abroad in London is not only a privilege, but has been an opportunity of a lifetime. I have realized that there is so much to offer and learn while in this city. I have learned more in the past few days exploring London than sitting in a classroom back at home for a week. This experience has truly been amazing. Since I have been in London, I have learned so much about the history of epidemiology and public health. An excursion that made me understand my major regarding public health that we have explored was touring the John Snow and Soho area in London. Before I begin to talk about how this excursion increased my understanding and appreciation of public health, I want to talk about the significance of John Snow. John Snow is considered the father of modern epidemiology. He is mostly famous for finding the source of the cholera outbreak in Soho in the 1800’s. This man saved so many lives by taking control of the outbreak. I think it was brave of him to stop the outbreak on his own, even after being turned down from the government numerous times. His findings changed how they processed the waste system and made even more significant changes to the water that was being used for daily uses. Here is a picture that I took on the upper right of a pub in respect to John Snow. This excursion has really increased my understanding and appreciation for epidemiology/public health. Without epidemiology, I think human existence would eventually be overcome by a variety of diseases/germs. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of death, disease, and disability in human populations, and the application of this study to control health. Without the fathers of epidemiology, we wouldn’t be where we are now with the amount of knowledge and resources that we have today. It makes me grateful to live in a generation that has endless vaccines, research, and general knowledge of how to avoid diseases. Epidemiology and public health reminds us of how important it is to keep up with everyday hygiene such as washing our hands throughout the day. I provided a picture below of where the famous John Snow used to live in Soho. Although we didn't have the opportunity to see the pump, it was a privilege to see the city of Soho and learn about the history of Dr. John Snow. The Great Ormond Street Hospital was one of the most valuable experiences that I thought we have been on so far! Learning about one of the United Kingdom’s top children’s hospitals was extraordinary to me. It really broke my heart to learn about what mothers did to their babies in the 1700’s. Neglecting the basic needs of their children and selling their clothes for alcohol, in particularly gin was absurd to me. For a hospital to open with under 15 beds with hundreds of patients coming in daily and still save so many children’s lives as they continue to do so today is influential to me. I am from a small town called Ormond Beach. When I heard the name of this hospital and realized that it specialized in children (which is my area of interest) I had an immediate connection. After I am finished with my education in the United States, I would love to come back and work for this hospital. Regardless if I came back as a registered nurse or a health administrator, I would be honored to be a part of such a wonderful hospital. Here is a picture that I took while I was there in the upper right. What really stood out to me was Peter Pan in front of the hospital. Peter Pan – the boy that ever grow up, was one of my favorite childhood Disney stories. Sir JM Barrie, the director of Peter Pan, gave all the rights to his play and novel to this hospital. This charity was so moving to me and truly touched my heart. Sir JM Barrie saved so many lives through his charity by helping find new treatments, buy upgraded equipment and fund research. I hope to be a part of such an uplifting and influential business/charity like the Great Ormond Street Hospital. To build a great reputation and become one of the greatest hospital in the UK with limited resources is powerful to me. The Great Ormond Street Hospital continues to hold high quality healthcare and service to their patients within the UK and patients that come in abroad. Through this study abroad experience, I have learned to truly value the UK healthcare and the Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Staying healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally has always been important to me! I have kept my routine of staying healthy for a long time. Going to another country for the first time for a whole month without anyone that I in particularly know can be a challenge, but I’m ready for it. I believe that by the time I am done with the program, I will build lifelong friendships through this study abroad experience in London. I think bonding with other students and faculty will help with my mental health by taking my mind off missing home. I am naturally a huge people person; however, I love my alone time. It’s how I keep my sanity. The morning is my favorite part of the day, so naturally I wake up early. I feel refreshed and re-energized during this time. I usually wake up earlier to have an extra half hour to an hour just relax before I start my day. I’m not a big fan of just waking up and going straight to class, work, etc. Regardless if this time of being alone is during the day or at night, it will help me with my mental and emotional health while in London. Also, talking to my family and friends here in the states daily will help me with my anxiety. Just to hear their voices will comfort me. Every other day, I make fruit smoothies in the morning. It has become a habit. I doubt that I will have a blender available in London; however, that won’t stop me from eating my daily fruits and veggies that I’m obsessed with. To stay healthy in all areas, I plan on packing my lunch everyday (or at least try to). I have already been working on my grocery list for while I’m in London. It may seem silly, but I am really excited to see what the UK’s grocery stores and food markets are like. I am also eager to learn how they process their food/meats. I love to run! To keep myself healthy physically and even mentally while studying abroad, I plan on finding myself a running trail or just exercising in general. I am interested in seeing London’s nature, so this would be the perfect opportunity to do so. For the past few weeks, I have been going to the gym and running consistently to help keep my body healthy and mentally prepare myself for one of the biggest trips of my life. I plan on continuing my workout routines while in London and taking daily multi-vitamins to avoid any illness that may come along. |