Hi! My name is Lotus McGuigan and I am from Bucks County, Pennsylvania right outside of Philly. I am currently a freshman in the School of Nursing and I am very excited for this opportunity to study abroad through the Plus3 program in Buenos Aires, Argentina! A few things about me, I love to hangout with friends, work out, try new foods and explore. I haven’t traveled much out of the country so I am thrilled to learn and explore Buenos Aires. In addition, I chose the University of Pittsburgh not only because of its amazing nursing program with many opportunities but also the city-like campus and community. I hope to become a travel nurse possibly specializaing in pediatrics or oncology, yet I am also open to learning about other specialties.
Throughout my time here at Pitt, I’ve gotten involved within various clubs such as the Nursing Students Association (NSA), Pitt Dance Marathon (PDM) Staff, and Camp Kesem. I recently joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority as well. Each club offers amazing opportunities. NSA has allowed me to connect with my fellow nursing peers as well as allowing me to be apart of the SNAP organization and learning more about nursing in general. PDM is an amazing organization that I am proud to be a part of, it raises money and awareness for the children at UPMC children’s. Camp Kesem is also an amazing organization that helps kids who are dealing with a parent’s cancer. Both PDM and Kesem have played a major role in guiding my interest in pediatrics and/or oncology!
Before coming to Pitt, I heard about the Plus3 program and was very interested in taking part in it. I knew that becoming a travel nurse was something I wanted to pursue and thought this program was a great opportunity to introduce me to this career. Nursing is a type of career where you will encounter many different types of people. Choosing between the UK, Argentina, and Spain was tough, but Argentina was the place for me! Argentinian culture and its beautiful community peaked my interest the most when deciding between each location.
The Plus3 Program will help me grow professionally, academically, and personally! Professionally, it will expose me to new cultures and help me understand how healthcare systems, specifically Argentina’s, are structured. Knowing how each country is set up with its different strengths and weaknesses lets me recognize that not everyone will have the same backgrounds or access to resources as people in the U.S. Academically, this experience will broaden my global experiences, strengthen my communication skills as well as collaboration with my peers. Personally, this trip will push me outside my comfort zone and allow me to become a better nurse. I am so excited to travel to Buenos Aires and learn about their culture and healthcare system while also creating lifelong memories and meeting new people!
