Hi! My name is Shannon Collins and I am a first-year BSN student here at the University of Pittsburgh. My hometown is about six hours away in Ringwood, New Jersey. Here at Pitt, I’m involved with NSA and enjoy spending my time both studying and in extracurriculars. I am pursuing my global health certificate as well. Once graduated with my BSN at Pitt, my focus will be more on emergency medicine or pediatrics. I plan to go to graduate school to further my nursing career or enter the business-healthcare route.

In Oakland, I either have my head in the books or I am spending my free time with friends. Back home this summer, I will be working at my local pizza shop and babysitting a little boy that I have been seeing for the past three to four years. I will also be taking my required public speaking course over the summer at a local community college. I look forward to spending time with family and friends I haven’t seen over the school year.

I am so excited and grateful to be able to participate in Plus3 Argentina 2024! While in Buenos Aires, we will be touching both the cultural side as well as learning about local healthcare systems, sectors, and business management aspects. Learning about different healthcare systems, such as what it means to be private versus public regarding hospitals and insurance, will broaden my perspective and experience as a nursing student. I have high expectations as I believe this trip will open my point of view and allow me to experience how healthcare is different from America, different from inner and outer city, and differ regarding individual economic status. As I am achieving my global health certificate, this first hand experience is not only unique but very necessary to understand the challenges different countries face in terms of health. I look forward to exploring Buenos Aires and meeting new friends along the way!