Hi, I am Lauren Bakosh and I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, before eventually moving to Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 5 years ago. I am a nursing major, and attend the Greensburg campus of University of Pittsburgh. During the school year, I enjoy participating in many clubs, such as Habitat for Humanity, environmental club, and the student nurse association. Outside of class, I enjoy making coffee at my part-time job, painting, thrifting, and hanging out with my friends.
For my Plus3 program, I chose to study abroad in Argentina because I am excited by the opportunity to experience a different culture while learning about the influences business has on nursing. Argentina’s strong, multi-cultural identity, history, and different types of economic environments make it an interesting place to study globalization, business practices, and nursing. I was also drawn to the chance to improve my understanding of Spanish, as I grew up around Spanish-speaking family members, and never had fully had the opportunity to learn Spanish myself. Growing up, I never had the financial opportunities to travel or study abroad, so this program represents a meaningful opportunity for me to experience another part of the world for the first time. Because of that, I see Plus3 as more than just an academic trip, but a chance for personal growth and an experience I have worked so hard to achieve.
Personally, I hope to gain confidence, independence, and a broader perspective by stepping outside of my comfort zone and adapting to a new environment. Academically, I want to deepen my understanding on how businesses interact with hospital-settings, so I can apply what I will learn about business to my future nursing career. Professionally, I hope the Plus3 program will strengthen my communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while showing future-employers that I am open-minded, adaptable, and capable of succeeding in new places. Overall, I believe this experience will have a lasting impact on both my personal and professional development and will allow me to take advantage of an opportunity I never thought I would have growing up.