Name: Olivia Sonderman
Major: Global Studies/Pre-Medicine
Minors: Spanish & Mathematics; Humanities in Medicine Scholar
Hometown: Columbus, NE
Year at UNL: 5th year
Why Global Studies?
As a pre-medicine student, Global Studies is my major because it is increasingly important for physicians to be able to understand the cultural background of their patients. More importantly, learning about other cultures, political systems and economies has allowed me to critically think about my own lifestyle and country in a new light.
My suggestion for Global Studies majors is to take higher level courses that are challenging within their own Regional and Thematic Specializations. I always use ratemyprofessor.com to check and see if the professor who teaches the course is a knowledgeable and dedicated teacher. I personally enjoyed POLS 470 International Human Rights as well as the classes I have taken while abroad.
Tell us about your study abroad/internship experience.
Studying for a semester with International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) in Buenos Aires, Argentina was one of my most meaningful study abroad experiences. I lived in a residence hall with Argentine girls in the middle of the city, and I attended classes at Universidad del Salvador. My classes fulfilled my Global Studies specializations in Culture, Human Rights and Latin America; my favorite class focused on Prehistory and Anthropology of the Americas; I was able to travel after classes and visit some of the archeological sites that had been discussed during the semester. All of my classes were taken in Spanish, and my level of Spanish increased exponentially on the trip. My everyday experience was filled with enjoying the city, learning the bus system, doing homework, traveling and taking classes. I enjoyed bungee jumping in the mountainous landscape of northern Argentina, visiting Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian/Argentine border, meeting my Argentine roommates’ families in Puerto Madryn, and a weekend trip spent in Uruguay. Most importantly, I fell in love with the city of Buenos Aires and now have a second home there.
What are you post-graduation plans?
After graduation in May, I look forward to starting medical school in fall 2016 somewhere in the United States. I am currently in the middle of the application process. I am also considering deferment of medical school for a year to pursue a research or English-teaching position abroad. My ideal career will combine my Global Studies education with medicine—perhaps working in with refugees in the United States, developing foreign or domestic health systems or working with nonprofit health organizations in conflict regions.