Tracy Zhang

Contact

tjzhang@upenn.edu

Ask Me About…

• Unique things to do in Thailand
• Food and souvenir recommendations
• Extending your trip in country
• Getting around knowing <10 Thai words

My Experience Abroad

This class provided me with an amazing experience abroad as I further developed my interests and found new ones. As a nursing major with a global health minor, I have always wanted to learn about how the healthcare system in the US compares to that of other countries. I chose Thailand in particular because of the unique elements of universal healthcare and Thai Traditional Medicine. After visiting and learning from various hospitals across Thailand and getting two traditional Thai massages, I realize that there is still a lot that the US and Thailand can learn from one another to improve their own practices. With my interest in policy, I want to contribute to improving current practices with the goal of promoting the best patient care possible. Additionally, this class equipped me with knowledge about alternative medicine, which is oftentimes not offered as a treatment option in the US. I plan to apply this knowledge to my future practice and expand the use of alternative medicine alongside western medicine in patient care. I could not have asked for a better experience!

Other Highlights

• We took a beautiful boat ride through Khao Sok National Park that ended at a raft house where we swam and kayaked with surreal views.
• We saw the most beautiful sunset at the Ratchaprapha Dam.
• We took a Thai cooking class where we made Tom Yum Soup, Pad Thai, Green Curry, and Butterfly Pea Mango Sticky Rice!
• On our one day in Ko Phangan, we had a beautiful dinner on the beach with the prettiest sunset.
• After the program, I flew to Phuket for a few days and then to Kuala Lumpur! We went on a Phi Phi Islands tour, bathed and washed elephants, rode horses on the beach, saw a Muay Thai fight, and ate a lot of good street food!