1. For my STEP signature project, I traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark for three weeks to take a sports medicine class through a program called DIS. Throughout the course, we discussed the biomechanics of movement and sports injuries and went on various field studies to talk with people working directly in the field.
2. This education abroad experience taught me a lot about myself and the type of person I want to be from this moment forward. Before this experience, I never got the chance to immerse myself in another culture, but this project helped me to accomplish that. I have come to understand that people from different cultures have a lot more in common than I thought, and we are all trying to make the best out of our lives. I had always thought of the world as this big place full of impossibilities and barriers, but in fact it’s the opposite if you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and open up to the world around you. The people I met and the experiences that I had showed me that the world is full of opportunities that are waiting to be discovered. “For those who dare to dream, there is a whole world to win.” Studying abroad had always been a dream of mine, one that I did not think would happen, but I am so thankful that I took the steps to make it come true.
Throughout this abroad trip, I found myself become more patient, understanding, flexible, and extroverted. I had to make new friends in my classes and my housing and I had to talk to Danes if I was lost or to just get a better understanding of their culture. Certain parts of the trip were not always easy, but I am glad I encountered the obstacles I did because it broadened my worldview and made me a better traveler and individual.
3. The biggest difference I noticed in Copenhagen was their health care system and lifestyle choices. The Danish people I met make healthy living a priority as a community. The biking population in Copenhagen is massive, but even those who do not commute via bike find other ways to exercise during the day. Danes usually go to the grocery store every day to buy fresh produce and they even have fewer medical visits. I rarely saw ambulances in the city, which is unlike the streets of Columbus, Ohio.
During my time abroad, I contracted tonsillitis for a week and it was quite difficult for me to find antibiotics or a doctor. I was told I was not able to see a doctor unless I had a fever, which is very unlike our medical culture in the states. I had to get over the infection on my own with ibuprofen and it cleared up in about seven days. I know that the pharmacists were not being insensitive, but they just have a different system with handling infections and illnesses that Americans are not used to.
In the classroom setting, I noticed how important participation is for effective learning. My sports medicine class was very hands on learning and my teacher was very willing to take extra time to explain difficult subjects. I have always struggled with being vocal in my classes, especially with the professors, and this class really pushed me out of my comfort zone. Danish schools find it important to leave enough time in class for discussion between students and I found it very useful to hear other students’ stories and perspectives.
4. This transformational experience was very pertinent to my professional goals because I have hopes of becoming a physical therapist in the future. This class strengthened my passion for exercise physiology and I hope to apply what I have learned in my career. My professor works at a physical therapy clinic in Copenhagen and we had a few class sessions there. It was interesting to see how their clinics were run and to be able to talk to other therapists about their specialties. I loved seeing how passionate they were about their career and I hope to work with the same intensity as they do.
I also learned a lot about myself and what can help me grow as an individual. I hope I never stop traveling or meeting new people because I know how important it is for self-discovery. Keeping an open mind through life can open you up to a world full of adventures.
