Kristen Marsh spends a "Semester at Sea"



BAHS welcomes back senior Kristen Marsh, a health sciences major, after participating in  "Semester at Sea," a study abroad program of the Colorado State University. Kristen traveled over 24,000 nautical miles aboard a cruise ship  while taking interdisciplinary coursework and conducting hands-on field experiences. Her journey took her to the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Croatia. She went diving into the blue caves in the Mediterranean Sea. After returning to dry land, Kristen took the time to answer some questions for BioSynthesis:


 What was your favorite part of the experience?
My favorite part of the experience was living in a ship-board community with 400 other eager students and 200+ faculty and staff. Learning and asking questions was highly encouraged.I made connections with friends, locals of different countries, and my professors that will last lifetime!

Something new I learned:
I took a course called “Biological Diversity” with an amazing professor Kate Huyvart. We focused on environmental issues and the seven major threats to biodiversity on the planet:
habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation, global climate change, overexploitation, disease, pollution, etc. We discussed topics such as deforestation and climate change and the everlasting impacts humans are making on the planet. Seeing these effects firsthand in other parts of the world besides the USA gave me a better perspective on these issues.

How has this experience changed you?
This experience changed my mindset in many ways. I realized I was just living in a bubble between my home in East Stroudsburg and Bloomsburg. Stepping out of my comfort zone y to get accepted into the program has changed my life forever. I feel confident as a global citizen and have now found a new passion to travel.

Do you recommend studying abroad to others?
YES! Stepping on new soil all around the globe is the most uplifting and altering experience that you do not want to miss. The connections and networking opportunities I made will carry on for the rest of my life. Not to mention it is a great resume booster. "Semester at Sea" became my family and I am proud of myself for embarking on this journey! 

Popular posts from this blog

Internship Experience for Medical Imaging Majors

Image
BAHS medical imaging majors gained valuable experience with various imaging technologies  during internships at Geisinger Health System.   Intern Ashley Wilkins  reports: "I  have been able to see so much in the Radiology field. I have observed general diagnostic radiology, MRI, CAT scan, and ultrasound. I have seen x-rays of different body parts, especially of the chest. I have also seen numerous MRIs of the brain and spine and CAT scans of the chest and abdomen. Lastly, I have seen many pregnancy ultrasounds. My favorite part of the internship is being able to start learning early. I definitely recommend this internship to other students. It is a great way to become more familiar with the type of environment you will work in during your career. It is also  a jump start to your learning, because you get to see so much and you have the opportunity to ask questions. " Intern Xiang Liao states .  "I learned how to position patients, collimate light fields, locate cen
Read more

Penn State Primary Care Scholars Program

Image
The Penn State College of Medicine Primary Care Scholars’ Program is an exceptional opportunity for those who are interested in attending medical school and specializing in primary care. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s program will be held virtually and will kick off the week of  May 17, 2021  followed by a series of evening sessions over the weeks that follow.  The Primary Care Scholars’ Program will include discussions on topics such as medical care, primary care, medical school admissions, and the medical school’s curriculum.  Participants will have opportunities to interact with medical students and faculty, and to learn about the philosophy and practice of primary care within the disciplines of family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. The format will include large group presentations, small discussion groups, panel discussions with medical students, individual application consults, and a sample problem based learning session.  In previous years, the pr
Read more

Heather Detwiler studies abroad in Australia

Image
Heather Detwiler , a B.S. Health Sciences major in the pre-accelerated nursing major, received a BU Professional Experience Grant to study abroad in Australia during the summer through at program at the University of Canberra.  She conducted research on the prevalence of concussions in youth populations in conjunction with the Australia Institute of Sport. Her work focused on the treatment and prevention of concussions in youth soccer players, a field that has not received much attention. Concussions are associated with long-term neurocognitive impairment. Australia has a higher prevalence rate for concussions among youth soccer players, perhaps since heading the ball during games and practices is allowed.  Heather's study compared the differences between youth soccer concussion treatment and prevention methods between Australia and the United States. During her stay in Australia, Heather had the opportunity to travel, visiting Melbourne, The Great Ocean Road, Canberra, Sydney, Cai
Read more