Learning abroad Highlight | Thomas Middleton

Q: Does this program relate to your passions and interests? How? Which ones?

A: Yes! I love getting to know new cultures and learning more about the world.

Q: How have your past experiences prepared you for this experience?

A: I went to Taiwan last summer for a private internship, and that experience prepared me to  live abroad by myself again.

Q: What intercultural skills have you developed while learning abroad?

A: I learned how differences in culture might affect the way Indians speak English and was delighted to find out all the traditions that differ between mine and their culture.

Q: What interpersonal skills have you developed while learning abroad?

A: I better learned how to interact with people, both patients and other health care professionals, in a health care setting.

Q: How has this experience prepared you for career progression and promotion?

A: This internship greatly broadened my horizons to the possibilities for my future career, including what specialties I might want to consider.

Q: Did any specific aspects of this experience stand out to you? Which ones? Why?

A: I was amazed at how kind the Indian people were to me. In their culture, "guest is god," and they treated me like I was  person of divine importance.

Q: What relationships have you developed with people within your program?

A: I was the only University of Utah student going to India at the time, although I interacted with some students who had just left India when I arrived. They were very kind in helping me with the visa application and giving me tips and tricks for what to bring and wear.

Q: What relationships have you developed with people outside of your program?

A: I greatly enjoyed getting to know the interns from other universities—both Indian universities and American ones. I loved my roommate who was from the University of Michigan.

Q: What is your experience with the foods available while learning abroad?

A: Having celiac disease in a foreign country where people aren't aware of it was very challenging. The fruits were always fresh, but most everything else made me sick.

Q: What is your experience with navigation while learning abroad?

A: Google Maps and Uber both worked great for me, so navigation was not an issue. My organization often arranged my travel if I went on business for them.

Q: What is your experience communicating with locals at your abroad location? Are language barriers present? How do you handle those barriers?

A: Most of the locals with whom I interacted did not speak any English. Most of the interns and staff I worked with spoke English well enough to be understood. I got through the language barriers with Google Translate and lots of pantomiming. Usually there were other locals who spoke the local language who could help translate and interpret.

Q: What cultural differences have you encountered?

A: The traffic in India is a lot less organized than the U.S., leading me to feel like I was in peril at all times on the roads.

Q: How have you immersed yourself in the culture despite differences?

A: I learned to enjoy not having air conditioning and how to take two tea breaks every day. I realized that by immersing myself as deeply as I could in the culture, I would better understand and appreciate it.

Q: Have you faced any obstacles during this experience? Detail them and how you’ve handled it.

A: The biggest obstacle for me was the food. It was really hard for me to find food that didn't make me sick between the food and water quality as well as the gluten cross-contamination. I learned to love Tums, pre-packaged protein bars, bananas and white rice—that was mostly what I ate that didn't make me feel sick.

Q: Is this something you would do again? If so, what would you do differently?

A: I would not do this again. It was very hard on my body and was very mentally taxing because of the physical issues.

Q: Is learning abroad something you would recommend?

A: Generally, I would highly recommend learning abroad. I learned about the world, about health care and about myself in ways that would not have been possible if I had stayed in the U.S. Learning abroad can completely shift the way one thinks about the world; that happened to and for me.

Q: What is your advice for students considering the opportunity to study abroad?

A: Do it. It will change your life, even if it is hard and there are a lot of hoops to jump through to get there. Your personal and professional life could completely change if you choose to apply yourself.

Q: What is your advice for students preparing to go into a learning abroad experience?

A: Do all the research you can about the country and organization you are going to because it will help make the experience much more meaningful.

Q: What is your advice for students coming into the same program(s) you have participated in?

A: The people in Karnataka are some of the most humble and sanguine people I have had the privilege of interacting with. Embrace Indian culture and the Indians will further embrace you.

Q: Is there anything you would additionally like to share about this abroad experience?

A: This internship not only sharpened my career aspirations, but also helped me get to know my personal values better. I found out who I am because of this internship. 

Find your Learning Abroad experience!

 

Any views, experiences, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this student highlight do not necessarily represent those of the College of Humanities.