Habiba Khirie
C’27
Health & Societies
SA: Queen Mary, University of London
Contact
Ask Me About…
- Traveling alone and my first time in Europe. Before this program, the majority of my travel experience was with family vacations, so navigating a foreign country and continent on my own was a whole new challenge.
- Taking that leap outside my comfort zone. I learned a lot by trial and error, whether it was learning how to get around, planning trips, understanding cultural differences, or dealing with everyday life abroad. I can talk about solo travel, meeting people in new surroundings, balancing school and travel, and gaining confidence living away from home.
- Going abroad for the first time. I’d love to talk about how to get over those fears, how to adapt to new situations, and how to take opportunities that seem scary at first. What I learned from my experience is that to have a successful and unforgettable study abroad experience, you do not need to be an experienced traveler.
My Experience Abroad
While at Queen Mary, I studied courses in the International Public Health division, which complemented my studies as an HSOC major at Penn. My public health classes in the United Kingdom exposed me to a different healthcare system, policy environment, and approach to solving public health problems, and allowed me to see issues outside of an American framework.
One particularly influential course was on global health governance, policy, and law. Through this class, I was able to explore how international governments, organizations, and legal frameworks respond to health crises. Learning about the UK healthcare system and political responses to public health emergencies provided insight into how other countries allocate resources, develop policy, and address health inequities.
These experiences expanded many of the themes I learned about in my HSOC classes, including the relationship between health, policy, and social structures. They also enhanced my capacity to view health issues in a global context and to compare different strategies for improving population health.
As someone interested in a career in public health and healthcare policy, my studies abroad have greatly enhanced my understanding of how health systems function within different national contexts. It expanded my interest in health equity and public policy and gave me perspectives to help me contribute more thoughtfully to the field in the future.
Other Highlights
- Meeting people from all over the world. At Queen Mary, I met other students studying abroad and local students, and I learned about different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. These friendships were one of the most meaningful parts of my semester and helped me feel like London was home.
- The chance to travel across Europe and the world. Travel was easy, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone and into so many new environments. Through these experiences, I became more appreciative of different cultures, histories, and traditions. I left abroad with memories for a lifetime, from seeing the Northern Lights in the dead of winter to crossing the Sahara Desert in the spring.
- Growing my independence and confidence. Living in a new country meant I had to deal with unfamiliar situations, take care of my travel and finances, and adjust to challenges on my own. As time went by, I became more comfortable with the unknown and experimentation. By the end of the semester, I felt more self-reliant, adaptable, and confident in my ability to thrive in unfamiliar environments. These personal lessons were just as valuable as the academic lessons and will continue to shape me long after my study abroad experience.
