Penn Abroad Ambassador Jessie Lin

Program:

• PGS: Hearing Globally

Ask me about...

This was my first study abroad experience at Penn, and it was so enjoyable. Because this was a global seminar, the itinerary for each day was basically completely planned out, relieving much of the stress on us. The readings and listenings that we had completed during the on-campus portion of the class prepared us really well for the travel component. This experience was so unique because of the stark contrast between the two sites that we visited. Coming from Penn in Philadelphia, our first stop in Darwin was such an eye-opener. We visited a different national park almost everyday, completely immersing ourselves in nature as we listened to the stories of the Aboriginals. Sydney was the complete opposite, boasting a bustling city. Yet, even amidst tall buildings and endless crowds, we still found ways to connect with nature, learn valuable lessons from the Aboriginal people.

My Experience Abroad:

As a premed student, I am curious about the different ways of healing. Through this class and our travel experience, I learned about different traditional ways of healing. We studied the Khoisan in South Africa, the Anishinaabe in North America, and the Aboriginals in Australia. Studying the different cultures gave me a deeper insight on the power of music and traditional healing. Being a chemistry major, I have been so immersed into the world of atoms and electron interactions that I have been deprived of the uniqueness of every individual. This class, and especially the travel component, introduced me to stories that would otherwise be unknown. By taking the class and learning about the different stories, I hope to be a more empathetic and understanding doctor in the future. Furthermore, hearing the music of the different cultures has inspired me to also pursue a minor in music. With the classes required for the music minor, I hope to further research the connection between music and healing.

Other Highlights:

• We were fortunate to meet and listen to a talk by Miriam Rose, the founder of the Miriam Rose Foundation, which was started in response to youth suicides of the Aboriginal people.

• We learned to sing with the birds in the language of the Yuwaalaraay people.

• We watched the open ceremony of Vivid Sydney– an annual festival of light and music featuring the Aboriginal people.

• We visited rock art sites, where aboriginal tour guides told the stories behind the art