by Henry B. Valdivia
I am currently writing this from Bangkok where I am having the opportunity of a life time, which would not have been possible without the Beyond120 Pre-Health Scholar Program.
I am a sophomore biology major in the Beyond120 Pre-Health Scholar program graduating 2026 following a pre-professional path. The Beyond120 program is a professional development program that interested me because both the course work and experiential learning opportunities go beyond the ‘classroom experience’ and teach real world introduction to the process of the medical profession. This program encouraged me to go beyond the classroom, which is how I find myself in Bangkok this summer.
My journey to Thailand began in the Fall of 2022 when I received an email from Ms. Knickerbocker regarding the Equal Access Clinic Network. The EACN is a UF Medical School run program which assists the local community in Gainesville and has on-going medical research programs. I applied and was accepted to work as a research assistant working with the Mobile ECG study at one of the clinics. This has been an invaluable experience working with the local community in Gainesville and an opportunity I would not have found without the continual updates from PHS and its mission to keep students informed on potential research opportunities.
Working at the Equal Access Clinic Network actually opened my eyes to the prospects of helping other communities, which led to me finding the UF in Thailand Program. PHS has a mission to help students learn beyond the hard sciences and get insight into how people of other cultures experience health care. The program stresses the need for patient centered, well rounded pre-professional students and that is exactly what led me to look for my summer internship in Thailand.
I am currently working at Thammasat University Hospital volunteering full time, rotating between transfusional medicine, physical therapy, radiology and preventative and corrective medical device maintenance, while immersing myself in a culturally unique healthcare system. I am having the opportunity to learn from and work with Thai professionals which is helping me grow as a future medical student, using teamwork and collaboration, while recognizing and appreciating the differences in cultures and how I can learn from a different perspective. The Beyond120 PHS program helped make this opportunity a reality by awarding me a scholarship to help pay the expenses of this trip.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon working with a group of Buddhist Monks who came into Thammasat University Hospital to give blood. Without the PHS program I would never have had the opportunity for this experience and the ability to expand my understanding of global diversity in health care.
Venturing into the unknown can be a daunting task, but if there’s anything I have learned during my time at UF, it’s that you don’t have to do it alone. My name is Carley, and I came to UF as a transfer student in 2021. I always knew I wanted to partake in global engagement while in university and I knew, even as a transfer, that UF would help me make it happen. With the advisement of the Beyond120 program I was able to study abroad in the summer of 2022 through the UF in Cape Town: Writing for Change program in Cape Town, South Africa, and also in the fall semester of 2022 through a Beyond120 Exchange program at the University of Glasgow, in Scotland, UK. I’d consider the benefits of these programs on my academic and professional development to be infinite and I knew I couldn’t be the only one.
“My name is Rishika Podarala, and I am currently a sophomore studying Microbiology and Cell Sciences pursuing a minor in Health Disparities in Society and am a recent Beyond120 scholarship recipient. The Beyond120 Scholarship program supports students like me to explore various interests beyond the scope of the classroom. For me, research has been an integral part of my academic career as it allows me to apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to solve real world problems. This award allowed me to continue gaining experience and knowledge in the lab, and dedicate time to pursuing an independent research project in studying sexual dimorphism in stress resistance of C. elegans, without the financial obstacles. My research experience has also enriched my character development by teaching me the skills of problem-solving, perseverance, communication, and time management along with technical lab skills. Having this opportunity has greatly supported my academic and professional career by allowing me to earn research credit and diversify my academic portfolio. I strongly encourage my peers to take a chance and apply! Thanks to this opportunity, I now work as a research assistant in Dr. Keith Choe’s Lab in the Department of Biology. The Beyond120 program has gone above and beyond in providing me a platform to pursue my passions which has elevated my college experience.”
“During the summer of 2022, I had the opportunity of studying abroad in London for 8 weeks and it is an experience that really changed my perspective on the world around me. I always imagined myself for years studying abroad because my older sister did it but to actually have the chance to travel to a new country on my own was surreal. The biggest takeaway from my trip was to never take anything for granted and actually immerse myself in the new environment. Therefore, while I was in London I traveled to other parts of the city as opposed to staying where we were housed. I even explored other countries like Wales where I had the opportunity to learn how to surf and even jump off a cliff, and as someone who does not know how to swim this was definitely an unforgettable moment. I also made friends with people my age who lived in London and to this day I consider them dear friends of mine. My biggest advice for anyone studying abroad is to make the most out of every day you have abroad but still, find time to rest and not over stimulate yourself.
“My time as an exchange student in Aberdeen, Scotland at the University of Aberdeen has been one of the coolest things I've ever been able to take part of. I've been able to meet and even live with so many people from all across the world and from all different backgrounds. This experience has helped me to better understand other cultures and how to approach them as an outsider, an aspect that will be especially beneficial in my future pursuits in becoming a physician. Having the opportunity to explore a whole new country has been a dream come true. For anyone who has ever thought about traveling or studying abroad, I would highly recommend this experience as it's one that will truly allow you to grow as a person, both professionally and personally. For me personally, the biggest learning curve was learning to become fully comfortable in traveling and doing things on my own. I'm definitely still getting used to this at times, but I think solo traveling is something that everyone should experience at one time or another!”
“I am currently studying abroad at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. I was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida, but it had always been a dream of mine to visit Australia. I had never left the United States before, let alone travelled away from home for longer than two weeks. I decided to push my boundaries and pack a suitcase for an entire year of studying abroad. While my time in Australia has yet to end, I have had some of the best experiences of my life here.
“Shadowing physicians in Vigo, Spain was an unforgettable experience! I have always loved the language and wanted to travel but was not sure I would get the chance until this opportunity was presented to me. Studying abroad in Spain allowed me to better understand a healthcare system different than what I am used to and be exposed to the importance of patient care and passion for medicine! It definitely helped solidify that the medical field is what I want to be a part of. I also had the amazing opportunity to be submerged into the culture and explore! If you have the chance DO IT! Thank you Beyond120 :-)”
“Hello! My name is Kylie and I am a Political Science and International Studies major. During my Spring semester 2022, I participated in the UF in Iceland: Renewable Energy and Sustainability study abroad program. Travelling to Iceland was an incredible experience and one I will never forget! The week-long program focused on the innovative methods of providing renewable energy in Iceland through harnessing the resources of its diverse landscapes. Over 90% of electricity in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, is generated by geothermal energy! Throughout the program, we did site visits to a geothermal power plant, government/public institutions, businesses, and universities to learn from various stakeholders involved in promoting sustainable systems in Iceland. We also learned about Iceland’s history and culture by visiting museums and community centers in Reykjavik and interacting with locals at one of Iceland’s many heated pools. We visited the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, hiked snowy mountains and volcanoes, ate “geothermal-baked” bread, visited a greenhouse and pony farm, saw waterfalls, watched geysers erupt, and marveled at the only place in the world where you can stand between two continental tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park. Throughout the trip, we were surrounded by stunning natural landscapes and gained a deeper appreciation for Iceland’s unique culture emphasizing reverence for the environment. This inspired me to continue pursuing Sustainability Studies at UF as my minor so that I can eventually integrate some of what I learned about while abroad into sustainable policies at home.”
“Beyond120 helped me fund my study abroad experience in Rome, Italy. It was the greatest summer of my life, and I grew so much as both a student and an individual. Being immersed in Italian culture was invaluable in furthering my knowledge of the language, and of Rome's classical history. The experience as a whole changed the way I've approached career choices and has helped me figure out what I'm most passionate about. :)”
“Even before stepping foot on UF campus, I knew that I wanted to participate in a study abroad experience. During my second semester of college, I applied to UF in Prague and through the help of the Beyond120 Scholarship Award I was able to study abroad in Prague. I was doing a study abroad for the reasons most other college students were, to explore a new country and to have some fun during the summer, nothing more. I was not expecting to have my entire life changed through one experience. Not only was I able to learn about the history and culture of the Czech Republic but I learned so much about myself. I grew as a person who was able to take risks and do things that I would have never done before in my life. You are on your own, in a new place. With no family and friends around, while it is scary, you realize that you have become the best version of yourself. Some of the most memorable experiences that I have had in my life have come from studying abroad. Before studying abroad I liked to travel and do touristy things, but since being immersed in the language and culture of the Czech Republic I have found a deeper passion to meddle with locals and try things that are off the beaten path. 
