I have pursued lifelong learning by exposing myself to individuals who are different than me by studying abroad. Currently, I am living in Italy doing a nutrition internship; the experience has allowed me to realize that being able to communicate is key to successful relationships and understanding cultures other than my own is an opportunity to provide better care for future patients. In my experiences abroad, I have found that all individuals, despite superficial cultural differences, are very similar at the core. Learning this allowed me to mature and become appreciative of others and their values; it has also taught me that they key to being adaptable in adverse circumstances is a constant positive attitude. I am excited for the opportunity to integrate an attitude of lifelong learning, respect for differing cultures, and positivity into future professional relationships.

     My internship focuses on the health effects of different types of food on people with diseases such as diabetes and Celiac disease. I work on an organic, non-GMO farm where we prepare foods for people on any type of restricted diet (diabetic, celiac, vegan, etc.).  The experience has taught me the extreme power in nutrition choices: I believe that this is a key part to a person’s health and wellness. As a psychology major, I believe that emotional, physical, and cognitive health all interact constantly; to address one of these core principles without addressing the others is ineffective. Experiencing living in another country where the culture is extremely focused on nutritional health and emotional well-being has been a powerful experience that has allowed me to recognize the value in diverse relationships, develop my problem-solving skills and adaptability in a challenging environment.