SHRS Study Abroad Essay

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This Spring I will have the wonderful opportunity to travel to the island of Ireland. SHRS Study Abroad in Ireland is a six credit, month long comparative health care program. Students like myself will visit a variety of clinical and research locations in Belfast (United Kingdom) and Dublin (Ireland). By participating in this program I hope to add another layer of knowledge to my understanding of health care. Most of my peers in the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) are pursuing careers in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, or Athletic Training. In contrast, I plan to pursue a career in Orthotics and Prosthetics.

While in Ireland, I will work on multidisciplinary projects and papers with my peers. Our writings will highlight the different health care practices, policies, and systems we encounter during the course of this trip. Healthcare, by nature, is a multidisciplinary field. Doctors, nurses, technicians, lab assistants, allied health professionals, and mid-level providers work together to ensure
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It is highly unlikely that most (if any) of my patients will come from similar a cultural background to my own. So, this study abroad program will provide new perspectives on how patients’ cultural ideas about proper health care may differ. In addition, I may practice my future profession outside the United States. For example, Orthotists and Prosthetists often travel with international relief programs. Also, some practitioners choose to work with assistive technology companies, many of which are located in Western Europe. All in all, this opportunity to observe and examine healthcare policies and practices of the United Kingdom and Ireland will help me mature into a well-rounded healthcare

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