Hi! My name is Zoe LaBeff, and I am from Norfolk, Virginia. I have just completed my first year at the University of Pittsburgh where I am majoring in Nursing and minoring in Spanish and military science. Outside of school, I enjoy going to the gym, creating artwork, and spending time with people I love. After graduation, I will be joining the Army Nurse Corps as a commissioned officer and practicing nurse. I hope to then go back to school for nursing anesthesia.

I am very honored and excited to be a part of the Plus3 Argentina program as it will put both my major and minor at Pitt into practice. I have always known I wanted to study abroad in college and this program jumped out at me as an amazing opportunity to learn new things and hopefully make an impact. I am very excited for the chance to practice speaking Spanish especially as it relates to my future career in the medical field.

Through the Plus3 program, I hope to learn more about the effects of globalization on healthcare especially as Argentina’s healthcare system is in a state of extreme change. I am also curious to experience how this system differs from that of the US as finances and insurance policies vary. Seeing how socioeconomic and political factors affect populations in Argentina will also help me have a more well-rounded understanding of the injustices within our own system.

While in Argentina, I am most looking forward to immersing myself in the unique culture all the way from tango lessons to museum tours and dining experiences. I hope this trip broadens my global perspective as well as my understanding of how healthcare systems are funded and managed. While I have travelled abroad before this trip, the unique ties to my professional interests are what make me so excited for this specific opportunity. I am extremely excited to see how this trip builds my connections with my peers and strengthens important life skills! See you soon Buenos Aires!