Hi, my name is Kenzie Bankes. I am a senior biochemistry major with a minor in Bible, Missions, and Ministry and a concentration in pre-dental. This summer I spent 7 weeks studying abroad in Leipzig, Germany with the Global Healthcare program! While abroad, I took two classes: 1) Global Healthcare and 2) Christianity in Culture. Global Healthcare is a class that teaches students about various healthcare models in other countries, how they are used worldwide, and how to best approach the clash of two cultures. We discussed countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Canada, and the United States. I was able to experience Germany’s healthcare model firsthand as my classmates and I shadowed German doctors in the hospital. In the hospital, I saw how the ER, OR, and ICU work compared to the U.S., how to test a person’s breathing pattern to distinguish any respiratory issues, and many procedures/ surgeries including a knee replacement, colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and internal ultrasound of the abdomen. I’ve also been able to actually perform an ultrasound on patients (with consent) and observe their vessels as well as learn how to correctly put an intubation tube into a patient (using a dummy model). For Christianity in Culture, we took class trips to places like Weimar, Wittenburg, and Buchenwald concentration camps. We were able to read about how Christianity affected German cities and what their faith meant to them. During this class, we also compared topics of social media, war, and immigration in today’s society versus the Bible’s interpretation of them.
When we didn’t have classes, we were able to travel. I visited Oslo, Norway, and many cities in Italy (Milan, Venice, and Varenna-Como). On my Oslo trip, I spent time with friends hiking mountains and islands. We also took a ferry boat to see the Fjords! My favorite trip was probably to Italy. A group of friends and I rode a gondola, took a cooking class, and spent some time at the beach. I then traveled with another group to Lake Como and we spent the day there! This city has delicious food with amazing views! I recommend going if given the opportunity! Being on study abroad, I have learned so much about healthcare systems, people, God, and myself. In the past, I have always wanted to just get up and go, so studying abroad was something that really intrigued me. However, it wasn’t until I was here that I learned how much I actually value “just being”. After running around from city to city or country to country, I wanted to stay in Leipzig and enjoy the city. Not traveling all of the time made me appreciate the people I was with and not what we were doing. Another thing I learned is that I really value solitude. As I spent the past 7 weeks in a house with more than 20 people, there were only a handful of times when I was truly able to be alone. I realized that this time alone allowed me to process my emotions and have conversations with God that I don’t feel I could have in public. Regardless, I have made many new friendships and even strengthened old ones. Studying abroad has granted me many unique experiences and opportunities. I highly recommend it to everyone who is given the same chance that I was given.
P.S. Feel free to follow my travel Instagram @kenziebankes for a glimpse of my time abroad!
Featured image: My study abroad group going out for some gelato (my favorite thing to do)! So many great friends were made and I wouldn’t trade our experience for any other.
During my last day shadowing, I learned how to intubate a person. Here is me practicing on a dummy using an endoscope for help.
Drinking a blueberry smoothie in Weimar, Germany before we head back to Leipzig.
Sophia Wagle and I in Venice, Italy riding on a gondola!