It has been about a month now since my study abroad experience focusing on comparative healthcare systems has come to an end, giving me ample time to reflect on all the amazing experiences I had while in Austria and Slovenia. Over the five weeks I spent abroad, I strove to fully immerse myself in other cultures and as a result I learned more than I ever thought I would. From taking two courses on medicine and healthcare to seeing surgeries in the operating room first-hand, I truly had access to so many more sights and information that I would otherwise not have experienced.
What surprised me the most about my program was just how much I got to see and learn about the differences of healthcare systems outside of the United States. Austria has free universal healthcare for all citizens, funded by taxes that are set at a much higher percent of one's salary compared to the United States. And while taxes may be high, the costs of living are comparably much lower. The prevalence and types of healthcare establishments that exist in Austria are also very different from what I previously thought. From entire complexes devoted to geriatric care and research to villages for the homeless that provide access to free healthcare, the abundance and variety of healthcare opportunities truly surprised me.
This program gave me many takeaways confirming my desire to pursue a career in medicine, but it also greatly influenced the way I look at the healthcare system in the United States. My time studying abroad caused me to reflect on many ways the US healthcare system operates, and gave me insight into the benefits and drawbacks of healthcare in other cultures that I can apply as a health professional myself in the future.
To other students interested in studying abroad, my biggest piece of advice would be to be as open as possible to trying out new activities and exploring new places. While it may seem like you have plenty of time at the start of your time abroad, time truly does go by so quickly. There will undoubtedly be many challenges and cultural differences to overcome wherever abroad you travel, but not being afraid to embrace these struggles and mistakes will allow you to get the absolute most out of your experience. Studying abroad has been one of the highlights of my life, and I will forever make use of the invaluable knowledge I learned during that time.
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