Reflections

I grew up watching rockets launch from my driveway, and because both of my parents are NASA engineers the space program has been a part of my life since infancy.  Cape Canaveral seems like a lifetime away from Busan, South Korea, yet when I first entered my roommate’s home I was shocked to discover a framed photo of her family posing in front of a model space shuttle.  Ironically, when I reflect on my time studying abroad one of my most vivid memories is this instance that I was most strongly reminded of my home.  I had priceless experiences in South Korea that were entirely foreign to me, whether learning how to pray in a Buddhist temple with my language partner’s 할머니 (grandmother) or staying in traditional hanok during a weekend excursion.  However, I think that the international experiences that had the greatest impact on me were the ones that reminded me of my own home and family.  Helping my roommate’s sister with her English homework reminded me of long nights tutoring my own sister, and learning crowd cheers at a Busan Giants baseball game reminded me of football in the Swamp.  The deep commonalities between Korean and American culture and people allowed me to reflect on my own goals and identity, and I hope to continue this process of reflection and exchange in my future career.  Pursuing international coursework, attending campus events, and participating in study abroad as a member of the International Scholars Program (ISP) enriched my undergraduate education in an academic and a personal sense, building my confidence and providing me with essential cultural competencies.

I intend to pursue a career as a public health professional, and an international education provides me with essential skills for my future endeavors.  Physicians have responsibilities that extend far beyond the clinical setting, and my study of medical history exposes the importance of social, political, and economic context in addressing the health needs of different communities. My honors thesis centers around public health policy in refugee camps after World War II, tracing how nationalist agendas and refugee stereotypes impacted medical care. UF provides me with the unique opportunity to integrate my pre-medical undergraduate education with coursework in language and the humanities, and there is nothing quite like balancing courses in biochemistry and parasitology with classes on modern Chinese history and French composition. ISP’s value in a multidisciplinary education extends beyond Gainesville and my study abroad in England, France, and South Korea taught me how to bridge cultural differences and serve as a productive leader.  Diverse, international course work and research in the humanities compel me to connect with others and ask hard questions, which will prove essential as I consider the unique identities and backgrounds of my patients as a physician.