For my STEP Signature Project, I participated in the Dance Brazil study abroad where I had the opportunity to tour three cities in Bahia, Brazil for 2 weeks showing dance works that the group and I have been working on since August of 2019. I performed for schools and the public and also took class with different Brazilian teachers and choreographers. I was immersed into the culture through dance and art and was able to interact with people of all ages in Brazil.

While traveling through Brazil, I began to understand the importance of human connections and creating meaningful relationships with those around you. Before my trip, I did not realize how much of an impact you can have on someone in such little time. Human connections are powerful and simple gestures can have a positive impact on someone’s day or even someone’s life. While in Brazil, I noticed the drastic differences between culture in the United States and their culture. I am now more aware of the different cultural values that exist in this world and knowledgeable of how they can exist peacefully. I have also begun to reevaluate my own values after my experiences in Brazil.

 I had the opportunity to visit and perform in three different cities in Bahia, Brazil including Salvador, Lençóis, and Arembepe. In each city, I met people of all ages and interacted with them primarily through dance because of the verbal language barrier between us. Connecting with them through dance showed me how easy it is to make connections with other people, regardless of any physical or metaphorical barrier between us. Seeing how happy people could be simply by inviting them to dance with us on stage after a performance brought me so much joy. These interactions showed me how easy it is to connect with others and how beneficial it is to build these types of connections with whoever I meet in the future. 

The different tours around the cities we visited and also our stops at different public schools in the cities for performances showed me how different Brazilian culture is compared to American culture. Through interactions with both people my age and older generations, I know that different cultures value different principles or ideas. While there are universal concepts that both of our cultures accept or generally acknowledge, the differences between our cultures can still exist between individuals in a way that does not disrupt their relationship. FInding ways to accept others regardless of differences in culture is entirely possible through listening and understanding.

I have also  seen how simple finding things to make you smile can be, even without the conventional objects that the majority of people in the United States have accessible on a daily basis. We met people who have changed the way I see the world, mostly about what I find important in life. They brought to my awareness how much I worry in my everyday life about things that now seem arbitrary in relation to what is happening around the rest of the world. I hope to carry their importance of valuing the little things in life in the future.

I hope to take the new ideas I acquired in Brazil into my future plans as a student and as a professional. I went to Brazil knowing that I would gain insight about bringing art into different communities, one focus that I have in my academic plans. I now know more about dance and community engagement, but I hope to continue studying more about how dance can be positively impactful in all kinds of communities while I am still in school. Having experienced how it feels to make connections with other individuals through dance, I want to continue building these connections in my last year of studying at Ohio State.

I also hope to take the positive changes from Brazil into my post-graduate plans when I enter the professional world. I want to keep exploring the idea of making connections through dance in the community after I graduate. I hope that while I am working in the professional world, I am knowledgeable of and sensitive to the people’s cultural ideas that I have the opportunity to work with in order to create a safe and welcoming environment. I aim to make dance accessible to people of different backgrounds, cultures, ages, races, religions, and abilities because I have witnessed the positive impacts of bringing dance to people who do not have access to it.

1.     For my STEP Signature Project, I participated in the European Equestrian Study Abroad program.  Over spring break, we traveled to the UK and Wales.  While there, we visited multiple horse farms to learn about their industry and explored historical sites to experience the multitude of cultures.

2.     My understanding of myself changed some after this study abroad.  I feel more confident in my ability to explore the world and the many experiences it has to offer.  This study abroad opened my eyes to the small and large differences between my own culture and others.  The abundant differences between the environment here and there were incredible.  I really admire how efficient and environmentally conscience they are in many aspects of their day to day life and it has pushed me to do the same in mine.
The world is a very big place and there is much to discover.  Traveling abroad has fueled my interest in discovering every detail about the world.  I look forward to learning about the many cultures of the world after my experiences.  Each part of the world is unique and has a special experience to offer.  I understand the importance and the impact of these experiences even better now.

3.     The most significant experience I had on the study abroad was riding horses through the Moors in Dartmoor National Park.  The country was beautiful, and it was a magnificent experience.  I have never seen an environment like the one we rode through and it made me appreciate how healthy nature was there.  There were no people around and it was a revitalizing experience.  I really want to do what I can to protect our environment because places like that should be respected and admired forever.
Learning about the equine industry in the UK was also a transformational experience for multiple reasons.  They do a lot of things differently than we do in the American equine industry.  Even some basic terminology, such as a horse trailer compared to a van, is different.  However, some of their practices could be very beneficial to our industry.  It opened my eyes and I hope to implement some of what I learned of in my industry practices.
Getting to visit historical sites gave me a greater appreciation for how culture has impacted our world.  Some of the places we visited included, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and the Roman Baths.  These sites hold major historical significance and it was incredible to walk where so many people from the past have walked throughout history.  These cultures helped to shape the world that we live in today.  This gave me a new perspective and appreciation for the variations of culture across the world and I would like to experience more of them.
The UK and Wales are places that hold rich examples of these cultures.  I feel enriched in my understanding of the world after my study abroad because I was able to experience them in their entirety.  There are multiple differences between our cultures, such as food, transportation, and communication, but it was a wonderful opportunity to grow as an individual.  I think we can learn something from every culture, especially when we get to be surrounded by it.  This study abroad did just that and I have come back a more rounded person, with a greater respect for the world and its cultures.

4.     This change and experience were very important to my academic life.  I have always wanted to see the world and learn from it.  This experience gave me that opportunity.  I have come with a greater understanding of the world and its cultures.  This experience has encouraged me to continue learning and enriching my life with different cultures.
The study abroad also added to my personal and professional goals and plans.  Learning about the European equine industry has given me an opportunity to grow in the professional industry.  I now have knowledge that can help me provide different techniques and practices to the American equine industry.  I’ve also grown in overall understanding of how things can be done differently, but still be as efficient or even more so in some situations.  This entire experience through STEP and study abroad has helped me grow as a person and the skills I have developed will stay with me through the rest of my life.

1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.

My STEP Signature Project was a study abroad program during spring break in London called the International Pharmacy Experience with the College of Pharmacy. One aspect of the program focused on the differences in pharmacies and healthcare systems between the United Kingdom and the United States. Another aspect of this project focused on the culture of London by exploring the people, landmarks, and the city itself.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.

My understanding of myself, my assumptions, and my view of the world changed/transformed while completing my STEP Signature Project. The first transformation that I saw through my study abroad trip to London was my knowledge about the United Kingdom’s healthcare system. Healthcare is an important part of my life because it plays a role in my career as a health professional. Learning about London’s healthcare system during my seven-week class helped me discuss the differences amongst healthcare professionals during our visit. One of the chats I had was about pharmacists not being able to prescribe medications in the US, but in the UK many of them can prescribe if they take an independent prescriber course after pharmacy school.

Another transformation that I went through was my fear of meeting new people. Growing up I had to move around a lot due to my dad being in the military. This meant that it was hard to create life-long friendships as a kid when all I did was move around. It’s hard to get connected with people as a kid because many of the resources were limited. As I got older, I was able to connect with everyone through social media platforms like Facebook, but everyone grows to be a different person. Like most people, I have the worst anxiety when it comes to meeting new people. Some of my friends would laugh at this statement because they see how I interact with people and being introverted was not one of them. This trip helped me focus on myself and what I can achieve through meeting new people. It was helpful to be in a seven-week course before the trip because it helped get the jitters out when meeting new people. It helped me realize that I can use this opportunity to network with my peers because we are all here to achieve one goal: learning and helping patients in our career paths. All the experiences made with my class will always be cherished and help me grow as an individual.

Another transformation that I went through was more insight into the profession of Pharmacy. Before the trip I had my eyes set on going to nursing school and completely dropped pharmacy school from the picture. After visiting various pharmacy sites: community, hospital, and academic; it gave me a new perspective on pharmacy. It showed me that pharmacy is not just about counseling patients on their medications but making sure each patient is well taken care of. Pharmacists play an important role in the healthcare field because they are the experts on the medications that are given to the patients. The Pharmacist makes sure each patient is receiving the cheapest medication possible according to their formulary, adherent to their medications and living a healthy lifestyle. One of the pharmacists I shadowed, Alex, a respiratory clinical pharmacist in London, gave me more insight into the field of pharmacy that I am interested in: hospital pharmacy.

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.

An important part of this trip to London was learning about the differences in pharmacy and healthcare as compared to the United States. As a future healthcare professional, it is a great opportunity to learn how other cultures run their healthcare system. One of the things that stuck out to me is the role that pharmacists have in the UK. Pharmacists in the UK only go to university for four years after high school and then they enter a pre-registration period. In the United States, many pharmacists go through undergraduate school for four years, then graduate school for another four years and finally do a residency if they want a hospital-related job. Many of the pharmacists in the UK only receive a master’s degree and do not have the doctorate title to their surname. But in the UK pharmacists can become general practitioners due to the shortage of them throughout the years.

Going into this trip I knew two friends that were using their STEP money for the same program. For this program, I had to take a seven-week course that focused on getting familiar with London and my peers that were going on that trip. The class helped me understand the culture of London, but it did not help as much when getting to know my peers around me. I would meet new people through icebreakers, but at the end of the class period, I would stick with familiar faces. The trip has taught me to go beyond my comfort zone and meet new people. From this trip, I have built a close-knit group of friends that I can rely on in my journey to becoming a health professional while making sure I keep ties with older friends. Visiting various sites helped me understand other’s viewpoints when conversing about our pharmacies and the US healthcare system. From this, I saw that everyone had something that they can bring to the table. As I go through my career as a health professional, I need to make sure to create new connections because I can always learn from others.

Before going on this trip, I had my heart set on nursing school. This trip has opened more possibilities for me to become a pharmacist. I always told myself that I was not cut out for pharmacy and did not want anything to do with the field. I was so focused on comparing myself to others and forgot to focus on myself. On the trip, I was able to shadow a clinical pharmacist at King’s hospital for three hours. Most of the time was spent on the computer, but she amazed me with her knowledge of the medications and how she could quickly point out drug-drug interactions, drug optimization, and cost-saving benefits. My shadow experience inspired me to keep my options open and to keep exploring various fields in pharmacy and nursing. I feel London’s pharmacists are not paid enough because they play a large role in the United Kingdom’s healthcare system. This showed me how important my education was at the Ohio State University and how I should not take it for granted.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans

The transformations mentioned above are valuable to my life because this trip to London gave me a new perspective on the field of pharmacy. First, pharmacy is a large but small community that helps other past, present and future pharmacists in their careers. This is important because as I go through school, I need to make connections that can help me land a job in the future. Second, the culture of London and other countries will help me communicate the differences to patients to help them understand why our healthcare system is run a certain way. In London, healthcare is free for everyone, so knowing that information and conveying it to a British tourist can help them understand our healthcare system better. This trip has helped me realize that being me is exceptional and that I do not need to pretend to be someone else. I have more motivation now after my program to become a successful pharmacist. Once I reach my goals, I want to be able to travel and explore different cultures like I did when I was little with my family. Finally, this trip helped me find my independence. Many of the places I went to growing up was with my family. Being able to travel to a new location with strangers alongside the pandemic was scary, but I would not change a thing with the students and faculty that accompanied me.

1. Provide a brief description of your STEP project

The pharmacy study abroad trip to London in the United Kingdom during spring break provided an excellent opportunity to learn about how pharmacy and the healthcare system of another country functions. The partnership between the Office of International Affairs and the College of Pharmacy provided an immersive experience during the trip allowing for visits to a variety of locations such as a hospital, a pharmacy, a pharmacy school, and historical locations in the country. Some of the historical locations included, Westminster Abbey, Stonehenge, the Tower of London, and the Roman baths.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/ transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project?

From my experiences abroad in London, I had a transformation of myself, my assumptions, and my view of the world. First, I had a change in myself, by becoming a more cultured individual with broadened world views. To explain, by getting to walk around London and experience so many iconic landmarks, like Westminster Abbey, Stonehenge, and the Buckingham Palace, all while being fully immersed in their culture allowed me to experience a new culture the best way, with firsthand experience. During my time, I realized how diverse a city London is, with it being a huge multicultural center, where everyone’s differences are celebrated. Another transformation I faced as a result of this trip was a change in my view of the world through a better understanding of how healthcare works in another country. The United States is one of the few industrialized nations that utilizes mostly private forms of insurance to cover citizens. Some groups are covered by the government, such as the elderly and poor, but otherwise, everyone has private insurance. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, has socialized healthcare, which means that the government pays for all healthcare and they cover everyone, no matter if they are sick or healthy. From my experiences, I have gained a great perspective on how each system has their struggles, and that neither system is better than the other. In the United States, a common issue is the cost of healthcare and lack of insurance. Many people are unable to afford healthcare in the United States due to either healthcare costing too much, or not having coverage in general. While in the United Kingdom, they do not have this problem, but they do face other issues, which this program helped educate me about. One of the issues they face in the UK was the shortage of healthcare providers. To explain, although everyone is covered, there are not enough physicians for everyone to be seen by a doctor. In other words, they typically have long waits to visit a doctor. To fix this problem, they have given other healthcare providers, like pharmacists, provider status, meaning they can prescribe and see patients. By learning about socialized healthcare, my view of the world has changed, as I have learned that no matter what sort of healthcare system is in place there will always be issues that must be solved to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, quality healthcare.

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation

Many of the events that I partook in during my time abroad led to the transformation I had that was discussed above. First, through my experiences in London, I become a well-rounded more cultured individual. I became more cultured first by learning about Europe and England’s history. To explain, during my time abroad we had a tour guide who was very passionate about history, from him I got a sample of the rich and expansive history of Europe and England. Before going on this trip, I had very little experience or knowledge of European history, as the US public school system mainly focuses on US history. During our tours, our tour guide would point at various buildings and explain how old they are, with some of the buildings being older than the United States. When touring Westminster Abbey, we learned how thousands of famous people had been buried there, including Isaac Newton, Steven Hawkins, and Charles Darwin. These experiences put into perspective how rich the history of Europe is, with the US being younger than the Westminster Abbey itself. From these experiences, I have an increased interest in European history, and I hope to continue to travel to other countries and learn about their history too.

The next part of the trip that caused a transformation in me, was the diversity of London, which also contributed to me becoming a more cultured individual. London is one of the largest cities in the world, and back at the height of the British Empire, it was a global city that attracted people of cultures all around the world. As a result, by just walking around the city you can experience multiple cultures from around the world, which are located just minutes apart. My first experience with another culture was through eating at an Indian restaurant. This was my first time eating Indian food, which was excellent. Beyond the food, the atmosphere of the restaurant allowed me to experience parts of Indian culture, such as the way in which Indian food is served is designed to allow family and friends to share dishes. I also had the change to walk through London’s China Town, which was interesting to walk around and try some of their dishes which I have not seen before in America. Beyond these two experiences, I also learned about British culture. During my time, I learned that England has quite a few cultural differences compared to America. From tipping at restaurants to the operating hours of stores there are quite a few differences. The difference that stuck out most to me was that most stores close earlier in the UK compared to the US. Although I had to adjust to this difference, by getting my shopping done earlier in the day, I liked the idea, as it allows people to get back to their family and enjoy the evening together. Through my experiences in London, I have become a more well-rounded individual, that embraces and celebrates the differences between cultures.

The second transformation I experienced was about my view of the world by having a better understanding of how healthcare works in another country. To explain, the UK has socialized healthcare, while the US is mostly private. Before going on the trip, I did not know much about socialized healthcare, but through sight visits on the trip to a community pharmacy, a hospital, and a clinic, I now have a better understanding of how socialized healthcare works and what issues they have in their system. From my experiences, I have learned that while the grass may look greener on the other side, really neither form of healthcare is better than the other. The first experience that corroborated this was when I visited the hospital, I learned that they were short-staffed on doctors, so to make up for this shortage they had started giving professionals provider status, who typically did not have it in the past. Another experience that pointed out this problem, was the wait to visit doctors, which is typically longer, and in their system, it is more difficult to see a specialist. This experience helped point the fact that both the US and UK’s healthcare system both have their issues, which makes neither one better than the other.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life?

The experiences and resulting transformation from my STEP Signature Project were life-changing and valuable to my life and even after graduation for a few reasons. First, by becoming a well-rounded individual with multiple cultural experiences I can better serve my patients as a pharmacist after graduation. Being well-rounded will help in serving patients from all areas with the best care I can provide. For example, if I had an international customer coming in to pick up a prescription in the United States, while on vacation or if they recently immigrated, and they were confused about how the healthcare system works and why they have to pay so much for a medication they get for free in their country, I can use the experiences I learned from the project to better serve them. I can explain how the healthcare system in the United States is very different from socialized healthcare, which will help these patients better navigate the system during their time in the country. Another aspect of the trip that will prove valuable to my life after graduation is through how the UK treats medical conditions. From the trip, I learned that although they are trying to treat the same disease, they might go about it in a completely different method, which I can use to help in my own practice as a pharmacist. From what I learn in London, I can apply to my professional career in the United States to help improve all my patient’s outcomes. One final point that will be valuable after graduation is the network of friends and professionals, I made during my time preparing and while on the trip. The study abroad program was open to undergraduates and pharmacy students. In other words, I have met a lot of great people along the way, by spending a week with them and my instructors in another country. During this time, I made new friendships with my peers and instructors that will last a lifetime. Through the experiences on the trip, I have experienced several transformations, that will prove to be valuable beyond school, through better connection with patients and fellow professionals.

The main activities that my international pharmacy experience to London entailed were various professional site visits to healthcare locations. For example, our group toured the King’s College Hospital and shadowed specialty pharmacists, interacted with pharmacy faculty at the University College London, visited Green Light Pharmacy, an independent community pharmacy in London, and toured a health clinic practice. Outside of the professional visits, we visited various iconic London places, including the London Eye, London Bridge, changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Stonehenge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, etc.

This International Pharmacy Experience to London, England exposed me to a unique pharmaceutical and healthcare system, as I recognized key global health issues while comparing and contrasting information gathered to those systems in the United States. I have learned various key differences between our healthcare systems, and I strive to better the profession as a whole. By the end of the trip, I had a greater appreciation for pharmacy and healthcare and became more open minded to different health-system models and other cultures. Not only did the trip solidify my passion for pharmacy, but it also offered ways I can advance the profession in the future. I became more prepared for pharmacy school and my practice as a future healthcare professional. I was required to act professionally in London, England and serve as an ambassador for the College, as I met with doctors, pharmacists, managers, and other important pharmaceutical and healthcare representatives. I did not realize how diverse medical treatments could be in different countries but somehow all fall under the same goal of treating the patient. Specifically, pharmacists were able to prescribe medications in the U.K., whereas they are unable to here in the states. I was more inspired to advocate for pharmacist rights, seeing how successful it was in another country.

Each day of the trip included a professional site-visit relating to the pharmaceutical and healthcare systems in England, site visits to key historical and cultural sites, and downtime to explore the sights and sounds of England and fully experience the country’s culture. All these experiences tied together truly opened my eyes and allowed me to fully appreciate London and its many attractions that make it unique.

Regarding the professional site visits, there were a variety of interactions and relationships that led to my overall transformation. Specifically, at the King’s College Hospital in London, I was able to shadow a cardiothoracic pharmacist, who not only gave me a tour of the hospital and explained their medical systems, but she also had me sit in on the healthcare team and review patient profiles while suggesting any alterations to the medication lists. I was able to get a firsthand look into pharmacy and healthcare operations and make a meaningful difference for these critical-ill patients under the supervision of a pharmacist. Additionally, I learned that pharmacists were able to prescribe independently of a physician. This intrigued me, as I know that in the United States, pharmacists do not have prescriptive authority. I learned that this practice allowed physicians to focus on other duties while allowing pharmacists to take a more active role in patient care. I became more aware of the possibilities and advantages pharmacists bring to the table and will continue to advocate for more pharmacist rights.

Another interaction that contributed to my overall transformation was the visit to the Green Light Pharmacy, a local independent pharmacy in London providing a variety of public health services in addition to filling prescriptions. One characteristic of their pharmacy that intrigued me was privacy. They spent a lot of time constructing their pharmacy in a way that completed a full circle. There were many private areas dedicated to preserving patient privacy while addressing critical issues. Additionally, the pharmacy provided free, walk-in methadone shots as well as needle exchange kits. I was intrigued to learn that these heavily debated and touchy subjects in the United States were embraced in England, as the pharmacists and healthcare workers ultimately believed in safe drug use, noting that the action of physically coming into the pharmacy to retrieve these items encouraged safe discussion between the patient and the pharmacist when he or she was ready to seek treatment. Again, I was blown away to see how successful these operations were in London, but I am still unsure if these programs will translate well in the states. Nonetheless, it was interesting to note the differences between our healthcare systems and the variety of unique services offered to patients.

Witnessing the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace was a unique experience that I will never forget. It was intriguing to see how vital and serious this whole process was, and I was blown away to see how many people still visit Buckingham palace daily to witness the event. England takes its country’s history and government seriously, and the guards are no joke. They will not hesitate to yell at people in their way and continue to follow a style of professionalism and dedication. I enjoyed witnessing this iconic event, and I was motivated to parallel these characteristics to my own life. It’s important to stay focused in life, no matter the distractions, to protect and serve those who are close to you, and I admire their dedication to their work.

Coming from a small town in Pennsylvania, I have always wanted to see more, meet diverse people, and experience unique cultures. I have rarely been outside the east coast my whole life, and Ohio was the furthest west I have been. Witnessing the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, touring the tower of London, visiting Stonehenge, and eating iconic fish and chips will all certainly be crossed off my bucket list, and I returned to the United States as a more-open minded and cultured student. I have gained a greater appreciation of the different cultures between the United States and England, but more importantly, I noted how similar we are. There was no big culture shock, only subtle differences in social activities and language. I have learned to appreciate and embrace these differences, as I found the most happiness from the trip from simply being open to try new activities, foods, and experiences.

Not only that, but the trip met many my professional goals. Comparing and contrasting England’s health issues and health-care systems to those in the United States exposed me to the strengths and weaknesses of our current system and how we can work to improve it to better patient care. It’s crucial that healthcare professionals are ready to work with and aid patients of all backgrounds and differences and not judge people because of their beliefs. This trip to London, England played a substantial role in helping me reach outside my comfort zone to experience a diverse culture and learn about unique ways of how healthcare systems can operate, allowing me to return more appreciative and knowledgeable to connect with patients and communicate with them rather than just blindly prescribing, dispensing, and administering them medications.