Wǒ shì Ian! (That's "I am Ian!" in Mandarin, one of the first phrases I'm learning before my semester abroad.) I am 20 years old and hail from Middletown, Delaware. Growing up, I was always drawn to creative outlets. Writing light novels, playing piano, and sketching illustrations were my go-to ways of telling stories long before I ever picked up a camera. That same love of storytelling is a big part of why I'm excited to document this journey with all of you.
I'm currently a junior at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where I'm pursuing a degree in Physiology and Neurobiology on the pre-med track. This fall, I'll be studying abroad at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where I'll be taking courses that push me to think about medicine and culture together, such as a class comparing Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I chose Singapore specifically because I believe cultural competency is just as important as scientific knowledge for anyone entering the medical field, and I can't think of a better place to learn that firsthand.
Outside the classroom, I'm also a bit of a content creator at heart, so expect photos, videos, and stories that try to capture what daily life, food, culture, and healthcare in Singapore actually look and feel like. I'm so excited to share this adventure with you and can't wait to hear about your own journeys along the way!
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 visiting www.gilmanscholarship.org.
