i everyone. My name is Brendan Araujo, and I’m so excited to bring you along on my journey as I study abroad in Rome, Italy. I’m a student at UNC Charlotte in North Carolina, where I study Health Systems Management. That means I’m learning how hospitals and clinics work, and how we can make healthcare better and easier to access for everyone.
My path to college was a little different. When I was 19, I joined the U.S. Army and trained to become a combat medic. That experience taught me a lot about staying calm under pressure and helping people in serious situations. After the military, I started working at a small allergy and immunology clinic where I help patients with rare diseases get the treatments they need. That job made me realize how complicated healthcare can be and how much it needs to improve.
Now I’m here in Rome through the Gilman Scholarship, a program from the U.S. Department of State that helps students like me study abroad. I’m also one of just 20 students in the country selected for a trip to Brussels, Belgium to learn about the European Union and global health. I’m using this experience to compare healthcare systems in Italy and the U.S., especially how they care for people in small towns after COVID. Thanks for following my journey!
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by clicking here!
