Hello! My name is Savannah and I’m a freshman nursing student. Throughout the year, I’ve become a part of the Nursing Student Association, the Pitt Barbell Club, and the Student EMS club. At home, I’m a volunteer firefighter ant EMT, and honestly, my level of involvement in my fire company doesn’t allow me to have a lot of time for other hobbies. However, I try to stay active, and love to hike, kayak, bike, etc., but also love going to the gym. I lift often, and I’ve even competed in a powerlifting meet. I do enjoy exploring, both in nature, and towns I’ve never been to before. I love going to quaint coffee shops that aren’t a Starbucks and going to concerts. And my last fun fact about myself: although I’m studying in a Spanish-speaking country, I took more years of French in high school than Spanish! I’ve been trying to brush up before we leave, but still wish me luck!

Growing up, my family never really took vacations. Every summer I spent two weeks in Ohio to visit my family, and that was pretty much it. Over the summer, I was lucky enough to go to Mexico for a week. Though it was a beautiful and enriching experience, we were on a resort and I felt a little isolated. We went on excursions to see Mayan Ruins and watched traditional performances, but I didn’t feel like I had gotten a truly immersive experience. After all, by the end of the week I was still taking pictures of iguanas as if they weren’t the tropical equivalent of a squirrel. When I was looking into going to school at Pitt, the promotion of study abroad trips helped to seal the deal. I feel like traveling in college is the best of both worlds; you study and receive credits, but also get to take part in a culture so different than one that we may be used to. I’m still a little shocked that I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of the inaugural trip to Argentina, and I honestly probably won’t realize it fully until we land In Buenos Aires.

At the time I’m writing this blog post we are sitting just under two weeks until departure! I cannot wait to get to Buenos Aires and… learn about health care and insurance! (*Insert half amused chuckle here*) All jokes aside, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t tremendously excited for the sight-seeing and new foods. However, I am also very excited for the guest lectures and site visits as well. By the time I graduate from Pitt, I don’t just want to be a new nurse with a fresh certification. I want to be the best healthcare provider I can be. I believe that understanding what goes on behind the scenes of hospital administration is just as important as the patient care itself. I believe that understanding the financing of healthcare, and how it can create barriers for some patients, will allow me to be a better nurse. I was drawn to Pitt because I knew there would be opportunities that would prepare me to make a difference once I left. This trip to Argentina is just the first of many, I hope, in my prosperous career.