1) My STEP project was a study abroad program with DIS Scandinavia. I studied abroad over the summer in Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden. 

2) Before my study abroad experience, my knowledge of Scandinavian countries was limited to knowing that, despite enduring cold and dark winters, they consistently rank among the happiest in the world according to various studies. I embarked on this journey with an open mind and a deep sense of curiosity. With this program, I was able to visit three countries: Denmark, Sweden and France (study tour). The first thing that I noticed when I traveled abroad was how different the architecture was from the United States. Copenhagen is known to have outstanding architecture and I think it truly lived up to its expectations. The old buildings are well preserved throughout the city and the modern buildings are a stark contrast and are spread throughout the city. In my opinion all of the architecture found throughout the city was jaw dropping compared to some other European cities that I have seen. Another very big difference in Copenhagen was seeing all the people biking and how well the infrastructure was to support this culture. Nearly every Dane owns a bike and many use it to commute to work even in the cold months. This was transformative to me because it showed me a different way of life that I did not know was possible. It allows them to live an active lifestyle by going about their daily lives. Moreover, Stockholm showed me how a well designed public transportation system can allow people to travel far distances without having to own a car. Their system was a mix of buses, the metro and ferries. With public transportation, I was able to travel over 30 km to various places.  

3) One event that was transforming was my study tour to the French Riviera while I was taking my course in Copenhagen which was called “The Good Life.” This course entailed learning about philosophy and understanding what makes a good life good. We spent a lot of time reading from a few well known philosophers including Albert Camus, Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche. While on the study tour, we had the opportunity to visit the same places that some of these philosophers resided and hiked the same paths that they did. We walked the same paths they once did, experiencing firsthand the landscapes and environments that inspired their thoughts and writings.  This immersive experience profoundly changed my perspective on learning, demonstrating the powerful impact of interactive and experiential education. It went beyond the traditional classroom setting, making the lessons come alive in a tangible and meaningful way.

One activity that was transforming for me was riding a bike in Copenhagen. As stated in answer #2, the infrastructure set up for biking is not like any other in the world. There are bike lanes that are slightly raised from the roads in every major street that extend for miles beyond the main city center, allowing people to commute seamlessly via biking. The city of Copenhagen is flat, making biking a relatively easy task. Additionally, I was able to rent a bike through an app, allowing me to ride whenever I wanted. This was transformative for me because it was so easy to get around and was drastically different to my experience biking in the United States. The well-maintained bike lanes provided a safe and dedicated space for cyclists, something that is often lacking in many parts of the US. Instead of it being a scary and fearful experience, I felt at ease everywhere I went with the bike. Biking alongside the canals was an experience like no other.

One relationship that was transforming was meeting my friend Bella in my class in Stockholm. We took a class called “Photography in Europe: Technology, Culture and Art. Bella became a really good friend of mine through this class. During our field studies we would have fika, which meant that we would take a break to have coffee and a snack; we were able to bond during this time. We talked about nature and travel and all of our little adventures that we had throughout our trip. We went on hikes and took a boat to a nearby island. As we talked I learned about her background as a finance major but what she truly wanted to do was to be an entrepreneur. We talked a lot about food because she loved to learn about healthy ways of living. I also learned that she has a blog that she writes in her free time. Bella told me that what she wants to do at the end of the day is to create a business within the healthcare realm that is in tune with her healthy lifestyle. This was a transformative relationship because it has inspired me to think about a career as an entrepreneur and to create something that I am passionate about.

4) This study abroad experience was valuable to me because it allowed me to see a new part of the world and to live life in a completely different way. Studying and living in Copenhagen and Stockholm opened up my eyes to how different the lifestyle is between us. I gained a deeper appreciation for the Scandinavian approach to work-life balance, environmental sustainability, and social welfare. I noticed that people were, in general, happier and more relaxed on a daily basis. Being able to experience efficient public transportation, the biking culture and the abundance of parks and public spaces in a city impacted how I view major cities. It has allowed me to broaden my horizon and has inspired me to incorporate various aspects of Scandinavian lifestyle into my own routine.

This relates to my personal and academic goals because one day I want to move abroad and work in another country. Being able to have a taste of living and studying in two different countries over the summer opened my eyes to the world of possibilities that are out there. I met a medical doctor who lives in Stockholm but lived and trained in the United States. Through talking to her, I realized that my goal of working in healthcare and living abroad was much more attainable than I had previously thought. She has inspired me to continue to pursue my dreams of going to dental school and working in another country.

My STEP Project consisted of addressing and analyzing the peace process as well as conflict resolution in two countries that have recently experienced major conflict as well as peace resolution deals. I spent two weeks in Dublin, Ireland and Northern Ireland understanding, analyzing, and discussing the Troubles. I spent another three weeks in Amman, Jordan analyzing and conceptualizing the Israel-Palestine Conflict. I spent 3-4 hours a day in classroom learning context and discussing with my colleagues and astounding professors about the lead up to the conflict, the conflict itself, and why peace negotiations were or were not successful as well as what we can take away from each process to use or not use in the future.

This program was extremely mentally challenging. Everyday I was faced with the challenge of changing my perspective on certain events, cultures, lifestyles that I have was not exposed to much growing up.

In Ireland, I was not only exposed to a different group of people, but I was also introduced to an entirely different political background that had impacted the country on an astronomical level. Even though peace agreements were reached, you can still feel the effects of the conflict today. I didn’t expect Ireland to feel tense or meet people who were still so greatly affected by the conflict. In Dublin, the tensions were definitely less apparent, however, in Northern Ireland, not only was there a physical barrier still, but you could still feel the tension between Catholics and Protestants, Republicans and Loyalists. My perspective of Ireland changed in that I was able to see firsthand how a peace agreement can be effective in practice politically but not completely change the attitudes of the people. When we went to Northern Ireland, we were able to see how the region was still segregated despite the government’s planned integration including schools, neighborhoods, etc. In class, we spent a good amount of time analyzing the personal grievances of each community and I realized that real peace will not be achieved until the people involved, not the politicians, are willing to recognize and understand each other on an emotional level.

In Jordan, I experienced culture shock on a different level than I have before. Not everything about the Middle East is different than Western Society, but many of the norms and how the society and community functioned were very new to me. I came into Jordan believing that the people would dislike my being there or dislike me because I am American. I was taught that the majority of people in the Middle East are hateful people who do not want to interact with “Westerners”. However, this thought was disproven within hours of my arrival. I was met with open arms and warm smiles by every local I encountered, and I learned quickly by my host mother and my professor that many people in Jordan want to visit America or have some family in America. I was told that they will most likely ask for help to get to America rather than despise you for being from the West. It was interesting to see the level of community and togetherness that the people of Jordan have despite having origins in different parts of the Middle East. Many people are Jordanian but will also tell you that they are a mix with Palestinian, Lebanese, or Syrian roots. Despite the conflict in Gaza, Jordan and its people appear happy and hopeful for an end to the genocide. However, our professor and locals around us explained that everyone is sadder and melancholier than before October 7. They explained that there is a huge decrease in the emotions of the citizens and refugees which I found surprising to hear because from an outside perspective, I saw nothing but happiness, celebrations, and people going about their normal lives. Something I figured out early on is that people living in the Middle East are resilient, whether it is by choice or force, without resilience or perseverance, society would collapse. Palestinian refugees in Jordan have every right to give up and be angry or depressed, yet they put on a brave face and continue to work, to live, to fight, for equality.

In Ireland, we spent the last leg of our two-week trip in Northern Ireland, specifically Belfast and Derry where we were able to see and hear firsthand how the conflict divided the region both physically and politically. In Belfast, we took a tour around the city where we saw the wall that was built, physically dividing the Republicans from the Loyalists, Catholics from the Protestants, etc. There is still a curfew at night in which the gate that leads from one side of the neighborhood to the other is closed and locked. Anyone who is caught on the opposite side of the wall must take a longer route home which is not only inconvenient but can also be dangerous if you happen to run into the wrong group of people. There is a term called negative peace which I believe still exists in Northern Ireland today. Negative peace explains how there is only peace because there is an absence of violence; even with the peace agreements made in the 1990s as a part of the Good Friday Agreement, I perceive the north as a perfect example of negative peace. There is no more violence or fighting, but there is a tension in the air in the neighborhoods that are so starkly split. Especially in Derry, my peers and I concluded that it feels like the community is in a waiting period. No one wants to restart any violence, but everyone is on edge, ready to come together if fighting or violence were to erupt once again. Furthermore, our program had the opportunity to speak with a former member of the IRA, a former member of the UDF, and a former member of the RUC. This would have never been thought of if it had not been for the Good Friday Agreement and the relentless work of key actors in the peace-making process. Each person got to tell their story, how they got involved in their respective role, their perspective during the height of the Troubles, and why they ultimately chose to leave their organization. It was incredibly intriguing to be able to have a conversation with these former members and be able to really analyze why someone would be drawn or forced into an organization determined to keep the nation divided as well as utilize the level of violence that these organizations engaged in. The IRA and UDF members recounted specific turning points in their lives that led them to want to be engage in violence to protect their communities and how it was a personal choice for them rather than a forced entry into the organization. The personal grievances that were felt on both sides of the Troubles is a key factor that we were able to analyze not just in this exercise, but in lecture every day. One of the main reasons as to why it took so long to find peace in Northern Ireland was because neither side was willing to recognize the others personal grievances as legitimate and humanize one another while still advocating for their beliefs.

On the other hand, during the second half of the program in Jordan, we spent 3 weeks trying to see colonialism from an outside perspective rather than from a colonialist perspective. It was extremely challenging trying to adjust my previous knowledge on how the Middle East came to be and what role Western and European society played in that process. I, along with my peers, struggled a little with trying to wrap our minds around how the Middle East exists the way it does today geographically, politically, and even economically due to a long history of Colonialism stemming from Western Europe. For example, the boundaries of each Middle East country were drawn by the French and the British with little to no regard for the already established bounds, communities, and cultures that existed in this region. We were exposed to this fact both in class sessions and when we would have conversations with locals such as our tour guides or people we would meet while sitting at a café. This idea that the United States and Western Europe aren’t as wanted as we make it seem challenged much of my previous education in that I read multiple publications, watched films and documentaries, and analyzed why this idea is true in many parts of the Middle East. Furthermore, we were able to pick apart the Israeli-Palestinian situation that is currently happening in the West Bank and Gaza as well as all of Palestine. Based on our proximity to the conflict and the region of the world we were in, it was hard to come by an unbiased person who was willing to talk about the conflict, but we were able to talk to many Palestinian refugees who escaped prosecution and are trying to start anew in Jordan. It was heartbreaking to hear their stories firsthand about how their homes were destroyed, they had to abandon their families, and flee to different countries where they faced very similar discrimination. For example, my roommate and I had the opportunity to speak with a man who had been forced out of Palestine, lived in Kuwait, but was forced out of Kuwait when it was invaded, and eventually established a refugee camp outside of Jordan that became home to thousands of Palestinian, Lebanese, and Syrian refugees waiting to get into Jordan. The amount of resilience and determination that this man showed in his early 20s to make a life for himself and not immediately give up was incredible to hear about. Currently, he is neither a Jordanian resident or a Palestinian citizen due to the politics of both countries but that has not deterred him from getting a job, helping others, and overall, continuing to fight for his state’s freedom. This is a common theme among many Palestinian refugees and Jordanian non-citizens; the fact that they do not let their status deteriorate their quality of life.

This program has already had a significant impact on my life in that I have a stronger, more well-rounded understanding of how peace and conflict resolution is extremely complicated and complex, yet possible in regions where it shouldn’t be. From an academic and career standpoint, this program has equipped me with the ability to adapt and adjust my previous knowledge to get a more accurate perspective of the material. I have learned how to question my previous understandings as well as question others in an appropriate manner. I think that this internal transformation has given me the ability to approach a situation from multiple angles rather than just one side. For example, when we were analyzing the Israel-Palestine conflict, we approached the situation from different perspectives such as a colonialist perspective, orientalist perspective, Pan-Arabism, and many more. I think that this skill is extremely important in whatever career path I choose whether it be law, foreign policy, or domestic politics.

Similarly, I also left with new life skills such as traveling with a group, being able to communicate without speaking due a language barrier, navigating two entirely different countries on my own, etc. I will carry these skills with me for the rest of my life and I think that it is crucial that everyone be able to travel on their own or with new people in order to develop these skills as they are necessary in daily life. I think that it is important to practice these skills as well as being able to put yourself in situations where you don’t have complete control or feel uncomfortable because it is in those situations that you learn how to find patience, and composure while making split second decisions.

STEP REFLECTION

1. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System provides outstanding health care, trains America’s future health care providers, and conducts important medical research. With the STEP fellowship I was able to volunteer at the RHJ VA Health Care system for a week. Service will took place from approximately 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day. I worked in various wings of the hospital assisting with tasks such as visiting and building relationships with patients, transporting patients to and from appointments within the hospital, restocking supplies in the rooms, and supporting other administrative/organizational projects/needs. I also had the opportunity to visit with veterans as well as their families and friends and partake in many fun activities with them. In addition to that I had the opportunity to shadow doctors, surgeons and other healthcare workers alongside sitting in on surgeries, etc.
2. With the completion of my STEP Signature Project I was able to gain a better understanding of the life of senior citizens and veterans. Before completing this signature project my only experience with senior citizens and veterans was through my family. When caring for and interacting with senior citizens and veterans you have to maintain the cadence that’s conducive to the lifestyle that senior citizens and veterans live. This project really opened up my eyes to how senior citizens live especially after experiencing war or being active in the military. The care that they require and receive is different. Not only is the care that they receive and require different they also require Specify the individual accommodations due to their lifestyle that is different from civilians. This project helped put into perspective just how different lifestyles can be in different communities and generations.
3. During my signature project we were given the opportunity to interact with the patients by distributing donations and gifts. The gifts ranged from Armed Forces paraphernalia to food. When interacting with the veterans and patients while giving out the armed force paraphernalia I got a firsthand look at how the different branches of the Armed Forces interact with each other. The banter between the different branches showed me just how connected they all are. The paraphernalia had different dates, countries, and years to represent different wars across the world. This helped me put into perspective how much work the armed forces does and get a scope of their roles. Throughout our service we were also given the opportunity to work with the patients and their families through navigation and providing information. During this process they shared personal stories and experiences from their lives. This helped me gain more insight on the lives of senior citizens and the lines that elders walk. The stories from elders vary as they were leaders not only in their military community but also in civilian lives. As veterans aged into senior citizens their lives past lives weren’t forgotten. They told us testimonials about their military life as well as reentering civilian life and acclimating to society as it changed. Because I am not a part of their generation, I was able to learn more about not only history but how I may navigate my future. Break Alongside service we also had the opportunity to explore the historic community that Charleston offers and explore historical sites that made the States what it is today. South Carolina is one of the original thirteen colonies, so it has a rich history when it comes to colonialism and the development of the United States. We learned about war history and indigenous populations in the South. This translated my academic learning outside of the classroom. This experience changed how I learn.
4. This transformation was significant to my life because before this I had no concrete knowledge about armed forces the military and working with senior citizens. It gave me a better understanding on the importance of giving back and investing in communities that I am not actively a part of. It also taught me to take advantage of the fact that I still have access to primary sources of history in my community, and to leverage that.