Life-changing Studies Abroad in Europe and the Middle East

Traveling abroad more than once

Easily my top experiences, both in Honors and in college overall, were the faculty-led courses I took in the summer of 2023. I saw the opportunity to travel abroad twice: once to Europe through the Art and History of Medicine course, and once to Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank with the Center for International Experiential Learning and Honors. Both were absolutely life-changing experiences that, even over a year later, I have not stopped talking about.

 

While traveling in the UK, Belgium, and Austria, we discussed the history of medicine—from herbal remedies and magic to Sigmund Freud to the creation of plastic surgery. These couple of weeks spent abroad added significant context to my physiology course and to my general understanding of medicine. I can now say I’ve seen the microscopes of famous biologists and understand how we discovered and developed certain drugs.

 

In the Middle East, we studied the Israeli-Palestinian conflict firsthand, speaking with a variety of local leaders, politicians, and everyday people. This immersive experience deeply changed my life back in the U.S., as I gained a new understanding of the conflict just before it became the focus of politics and news a few months later. I have remained involved in the Middle East and North Africa Cultural Club here at UW and have had a craving for good hummus ever since.