UF in Grenada 2019

Stepping out of my comfort zone used to be something that I feared. It involves change and uncertainty. There has always been this part of me that takes comfort in knowing what to expect and knowing how to respond before certain events occur. However, in life, the only way to grow and blossom is to take leaps of faith, even when you are unsure. Before going to Grenada, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had many questions swirling through my mind. "What nursing skills will I learn? What cultural experiences will I have? How will my interactions with the residents be? Will I be able to handle any situation that I am faced with?"

 

After leaving Grenada, I left with a clear mind, and I was filled with experiences, knowledge, and wisdom that I wouldn't have had otherwise. Putting my experience into words does not even scrape the surface of my experience in Grenada. It is something I encourage others to be a part of because you will leave with a renewed outlook in life. My self-reliance has increased tremendously with my ability to engage with new people and places more confidently. This was due to my participation in health fairs, symposiums, home visits, and even just friendly conversation with friendly locals we would meet during our excursions. One of my biggest accomplishments, along with the other UF nursing students, was our ability to educate people on different health topics and get them engaged in their health. I frequently heard the phrase, "Our health is our wealth", and it was a reminder of the value that is placed on health education especially in breaking down certain stigmas.

 

 I also had to engage in a lot of patience and flexibility because things did not always go according to schedule. As some would say, "you're running on island time." However, those were the moments where I would take a breath, and take in the beauty around me, a reminder of the enriching experience that I was having. In addition to these, my international experience has helped me to grow and develop an understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses. More importantly, I developed the ability to empower men and women to be proactive about their health! This is the aspect that touched my heart the most. Overall, this study abroad program not only reaffirmed my passion for nursing, but it reminded me to embrace uncertainty because that will help me in becoming the best nurse I can be.