Tiffany Lin
College of Nursing
“One of my favorite memories from my time in Ghana was connecting with a patient in the psychiatric ward and learning more about her life. I originally chose to study abroad because I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and explore nursing practices outside of the United States, with the
goal of bringing effective ideas back into my own future practice. I was surprised to learn about how insurance works in other countries and how patients access healthcare, and I also had to adjust to the fast-paced and often chaotic environment of the hospitals.
Adopting a mindset of saying yes to new experiences made all the difference. I encountered many new things in Ghana, and by challenging myself to try everything, I grew tremendously. I now carry with me a deeper understanding of Ghana’s healthcare system and new time-management strategies that will help me balance assignments and responsibilities back home.
As a first-generation student, I was very mindful of budgeting and became more aware of both my finances and how the local economy operated. Being Asian-American in Ghana also made me stand out, but it created wonderful opportunities for cultural exchange. I was able to share more about my own background while learning about others’ lives in return. The First-Gen Education Abroad Scholarship made this journey possible; without it, I would not have been able to afford the trip, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity.”
