Hello everyone! My name is Makayla Dixon, and I will be traveling to Argentine in a couple of weeks with fellow nursing and business students. Before the adventure happens, I wanted to introduce myself.

 I am a nursing freshman pursuing a global health certificate at the University of Pittsburgh. Initially, I am from West Newton, Pa, a little rural town “an hour from outside of Pittsburgh,” a quote western PA people love to say. On campus, I’m involved in groups known as BSNA and NSA as active members. I love going on outdoor adventures, hiking, or exploring the bike trails near me in my free time. I can always find a bit of “sparkle” in the dirt path to make me smile after a hard day while simultaneously soaking in the sun.

Studying aboard will be an extraordinary chance to help achieve my future goal of being a registered nurse. I chose the Plus 3 program in Argentina due to the curriculum learning aspects about healthcare management. My classmates and I intend to develop skills for any economic, political, social, and environmental globalization elements that affect Argentina’s health issues and learn about business and clinical decision-making solutions to address them.

Throughout the program, I will collaborate with my nursing and business classmates on a typical industry-based research project. The research project will allow me to receive insight from a nursing perspective and the business side and help my goal of becoming a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Spending time in Argentina, the third most populated country in South America and the geographically largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, will allow me to improve my Spanish skills, as I studied for four years in high school. The program is mainly located in Buenos Aires, a beautiful city with many sightseeing places and wonderful Barrios (neighborhoods), including the colorful arts in La Boca, old-world Recoleta, and trendy districts like Palermo. Furthermore, participating in this program will allow me to learn so much about colonial Spanish culture and history and taste fantastic food such as steak and flavorful cold melting ice cream on a waffle cone.