Name: Pearl Akonnor
Major: Psychology, B.S.; Business Minor; Pre-Health Professions Certificate
Year: Senior
Project: Bridging the gap between pre-health students & studying abroad – Proposal for abroad trip catered to pre-health students
My “Why?”: With the coursework necessary, along with the extracurriculars to be a competitive applicant to professional medical focus graduate schools (i.e. med, dental, physician assistant school, etc.), many pre-health students may not feel as compelled to study abroad as the courses taken may not relate to what they’ll be doing in the future, along with the possible worry that “time will be wasted”. As a Pre-PA student, I completely disagree! Studying abroad opens your eyes and grows your perspective in ways the clinic can’t teach you. Seeing another way of life allows you to think globally and I believe this is more than important for those seeking to be medical professionals.
Favorite memory w/DDCE:
My favorite memory w/DDCE would definitely have to be when we got to the middle of the desert in Dubai during our abroad trip. Seeing the world from the complete opposite side while being beside other young professionals that are propelling themselves forward with new experiences was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. Knowing the journey it took to not only get to Dubai/Abu Dhabi, but to where I am in life now, seeing the world in that lens affirmed in me that this is only the beginning to my story and that life will take me to see, learn and experience so much more.
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