“Studying abroad taught me how to navigate uncertainty and embrace discomfort. Meaningful growth often requires embracing the unknown, which can be really difficult. Whether it’s navigating the Tube on your own or adjusting to things that are completely new, adapting to new experiences has given me a deeper appreciation for how much I can grow and evolve when I’m willing to take those leaps into the unknown,” reflected Katie MacDowell, an exercise science major on the Global May Great Britain program.
Offered for four weeks to start the summer, students participate in lectures, group discussions, walking tours and museums to engage with the people and culture of London while exploring the beauty the city has to offer.
“As an exercise science major aspiring to go into physical therapy, I believe it is important to understand people and their experiences beyond my own community. By interacting with a variety of individuals and cultures, this experience abroad hasn't just prepared me to work with diverse patients in the future; it’s also changed the way I think, listen and connect with others,” MacDowell noted.
Outside of the city, the group made excursions to Oxford, Bath and Canterbury, diving into the history, politics and culture that have shaped Great Britain as a whole. For MacDowell, she’s learned how to take these experiences and turn them into skills that will help her back in Columbus and in her career.
“As I apply to physical therapy school this summer, I’ve come to realize that truly effective care goes beyond just technical expertise. It is rooted in empathy, understanding and connection. Going abroad has allowed me to challenge my own perspectives and learn to appreciate the subtle ways culture shapes communication and values. I know this experience will strengthen my ability to meet individuals where they are, embracing their unique backgrounds and experiences,” she said.
Through the jam-packed, immersive schedule, MacDowell shared that her favorite moments came from the quiet moments where she got to be truly a part of the environment of a new culture.
“Some of my favorite moments have been the quieter ones, like reading a book during lunch in Hyde Park or enjoying afternoon tea with my classmates in Bath. In those moments, I find myself fully present, able to appreciate where I am and the people I’m with. It’s during these small pauses in the midst of busy days that I feel most connected to the people and environment around me.”