Penn Abroad Ambassador Gabrielle Horwitch

Program:

• SA: University of St. Andrews

Ask me about...

• Adjusting to different academic environments (in my experience St. Andrews learning involves less classroom time and more emphasis on independent study than at Penn)

• Identifying niche academic opportunities at your study abroad school before going (despite St. Andrews not having a department directly aligning with my major I found specific classes and professors concentrated in the academic pursuits I had hoped)

• Building productive, independent routines while living in a different environment (St. Andrews is a serene, quaint coastal town whereas Penn is an exuberant and bustling urban environment)

• Navigating the study abroad experience independently without the company of Penn friends

• Living with full-time St. Andrews students I had not known prior and building new social connections

My Experience Abroad:

Majoring in Health and Societies with a concentration in Healthcare Markets and Finance has furthered my desire to understand global healthcare policies and pricing schemes. This focus involves critically comparing international systems with the strengths and weaknesses of the US healthcare system. I studied abroad in Scotland, and my curiosity about their healthcare system deepened after learning about the abolishing of prescription fees in 2011, certainly contrasting protocols in the US. I delved into understanding the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland and the ecosystem of private general practitioners that coexist with it. At The University of St. Andrews, I took courses relevant to Health and Societies courses and was fortunate to find a mentor in a doctoral professor specializing in technology and global health research. Specifically, I enrolled in academically rigorous classes in the Management School, focusing on corporate social responsibility and public sector management, which piqued my interest. I hope to maintain the academic relationships I built at St. Andrews and bring back insights about the NHS in Scotland to enrich discussions at Penn.

Other Highlights:

• One highlight from my Public Sector Management class was an interactive lecture and Q&A with local government officials from the Improvement Service (IS). This session provided insights into their Welfare Advice and Health Partnerships approach, which focuses on increasing patient’s access to medical records. This is particularly useful when combined with increasing telemedicine capabilities, especially for residents in rural areas who might have less access to in-person care.

• The Fife Coastal Path—a 116-mile walking route divided into sections—runs through the heart of the St. Andrews town. Living a 5-minute walk away from the path and notoriously scenic, oceanside cliffs meant TONS of long walks and hiking. Exploring this corner of the world by foot prompted extensive admiration of Scottish architecture discovering castle ruins, old churches, and charming cottages. The enchanting environment was the perfect backdrop for stopping to read.

• The vibrant student-run clubs on campus were truly special. If you are interested in reading more about this, I wrote a blog post titled “Project Runway” sharing about attending a fashion show produced by university students.