Major/Minor: Global Studies, Pre-PA
Hometown: Yorktown, VA
Year at UNL: Senior
Favorite book and why:
Storm of Swords, George R.R. Martin because the books are always better than the TV show or movie.
Favorite movie and why:
Idiocracy (2006) because it makes me feel like a psychic, I already know where the world's heading.
Why Global Studies?
I worked for the Army as a sort of relationship builder between the US's military and our allies or potential allies militaries. To do this I had to get training in a lot of the same concepts that are part of the Global Studies program, so it was a natural fit.
I am also fascinated by other cultures and think tomorrow's leaders will have to be much more culturally intelligent than they are today.
Honestly, I've loved all of my Global Studies courses, Region Studies, and Political Science courses. It's compelling to me to learn about a new stratosphere of thought to make sense of the things happening in the world today.
For new majors of any college I would suggest finding what job you can get with the degree you're pursuing and looking on the Department of Labor statistics website to see what the projected growth of that field is in the coming decade (do they need another one of whatever you want to do). I have a medical background so I can use this degree to work with NGO's or internationally. Just make sure the field you want to work in is a field that actually needs you.
Tell us about your study abroad/internship experience this summer/spring and any upcoming programs?
I've been in Costa Rica for over two months. I'm in an immersive Spanish Language program. I've taken Beginning and Intermediate Spanish for Healthcare Professionals, Conflict Resolution in Healthcare and Tropical Medicine and Costa Rican Healthcare Systems classes.
In just over two months I've earned more credits than I would in a full semester stateside, which achieves my goal of graduating as fast as possible. Also, these types of Spanish classes focusing on Healthcare are not available at the levels of proficiency that they are in Costa Rica.
I've visited volcanoes, beaches, plenty of fishing spots, Costa Rica PRIDE, facilitated an after school program in an impoverished community, the US Embassy, toured local clinics, facilities and hospitals and got to visit the Institute that makes all of the antivenoms for Costa Rica healthcare facilities.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I am currently applying to PA schools so that when I graduate I'll have a summer off and then start PA school. I intend to work as a PA in a medically underserved community. There's potential I will pursue some extra Spanish classes and complete a certificate to be a medical translator.
