So, you’ve decided to study abroad. Maybe you already have some familiarity with what you’ll be doing, but most likely you are in the same position I was: anticipating the travel without a firm idea of what to expect. You’re aware of some broad generalities. It’s going to be hot, or there’s going to be a lot of walking, or you won’t have access to the same comfort foods you’ve gotten used to relying on during those midterm crunch weeks. But it’s impossible to say what your trip will really be like. If you’re like me, that stresses you out a little bit. That’s okay! That’s our... Read More
Pitt Global Experiences Students' Blog
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I am a man of routine, and so it was important to me to arrange some semblance of order with my day-to-day schedule. I would wake up most mornings around 6:30 or 7:00 AM. This was pretty early, considering breakfast didn’t start for another couple of hours. However, I found it worked best for me to get an early start to the day. I can be a bit sluggish right after I wake up and wanted to make sure I could be fully present when we started with whatever activities we had planned. And anyways, Cyprus is rather sunny and the blackout blinds in my room weren’t the best, so sleeping... Read More
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The food was, in a word, excellent. For one, it was so much fresher than most American food. Cyprus is a small island, but it has a thriving agricultural sector and a climate perfect for growing potatoes, olives, tomatoes, and melons. So when you went to a restaurant or the supermarket, there was a good chance that the fruits and vegetables were grown locally. Like many Mediterranean cultures, there was also more of an emphasis on homemade dishes rather than the junk food drowning in preservatives that is ubiquitous on American street corners. Unsurprisingly, this diet is... Read More
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My expectations going into my trip to Ireland were that I wouldn’t have too much of a hard time adjusting to the culture mostly because their primary language is English. I think one of the biggest challenges when traveling abroad is overcoming the language barrier, but that was not an issue for us on our trip. Yes, some Irish people have thick accents that take paying extra attention to understand, but there weren’t many difficulties when it came to communication. Navigating a new city is always intimidating, but after living there for just a couple days, we began to get the hang of it,... Read More
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As I reflect on my time studying abroad in Graz, Austria with Pitt’s Comparative Healthcare program, the biggest challenge I faced was the language barrier. The official language in Austria is German, and I had no previous experience with the German language prior to the study abroad program. Although we did learn introductory phrases on our second day of class with our onsite Austrian coordinator, Julie, it was a challenge to communicate in some stores and restaurants, as some locals did not know any English. For example, for our free weekend we went to a rural, small village of Admont.... Read More
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Whether it’s specifically Plus3 Ireland or any other Plus3 program, the best advice I have is to make the most out of your time. The program is very short (only two weeks), and you will constantly be busy. The program really packs in a lot of activities such as site visits, lectures, and tourism opportunities and it can be exhausting. However, the exhaustion is worth it. The time really does fly by, and you don’t want to leave wishing you had gone to a certain restaurant, walked through a certain museum, or visited a certain sight-seeing spot. Use your free time to explore with others and... Read More
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Each day varied in terms of what activities we had planned. We had a set itinerary with site visits, tourism opportunities, and lectures that took place each day, but every evening we had free to explore on our own.
Every morning we went to a small café about a 10-minute walk from our hotel where breakfast was provided. We were very grateful to get a delicious breakfast each morning and it definitely helped keep our energy levels up as we went about our day. We typically either had time in the classroom, a site visit, or a lecture in the morning and would go our separate... Read More -
As a student on the Comparative Healthcare in Graz, Austria study abroad program, we are living in Graz for 4 weeks. The Hotel das Weitzer is a very nice hotel in a great central location. It is close to two tram stops that we use to get to the university every day. It also is within walking distance to numerous restaurants with outdoor seating in the popular location called the “Bermuda triangle.” We are also close to the main Congress square and the famous Bell Tower and fortress of Graz. I have one roommate, who I met previously in my science classes at Pitt as well as through Ballet... Read More
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If you are thinking about studying on the Pitt Plus3 United Kingdom program, DO IT! You will make lifelong memories with your new friends while expanding your knowledge. I am going to share with you some advice about packing for the trip, getting the most out of your studies, and how to enjoy yourself while staying safe.
To begin with, pack as light as you can. Believe me, I know how hard it is to resist bringing five pairs of shoes and twenty different outfits. This trip is only two weeks long so be sure to pack good walking sneakers (you will do a lot of sightseeing), a pair... Read More
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This eye-opening global experience influenced my professional and personal goals. While I was in the United Kingdom, I had to opportunity to investigate a research topic and hear from many nursing professionals about their different duties. This inspired me to think about how I can enact change in healthcare in the US. In addition, I experienced a new culture by going to local pubs, visiting museums, and exploring cities.
During our very first meeting of the Plus3 UK class, we split up into groups that we would be working with throughout the trip. Initially, my group wanted to... Read More