Kate Bass

Hello! My name is Kate Bass (she/her), and I have studied abroad on five programs so far, including UF in Mérida (Mexico), UF in Cusco: Experiential Learning for the Health Professions (Peru), UF Honors Scholars: Cultural Enrichment (Peru), UF Honors Scholars: Politics in South Africa, and CALS Leadership Institute (Morocco). In Mexico, our experience focused on tropical ecology and Spanish, immersing us into the Mayan and Spanish culture in the Yucatán (Summer B 2022). In Peru, our cultural enrichment program allowed us to restore local establishments, learn about the Spanish, Inca, and Wari people, and travel across the region. Finally, through shadowing and volunteering in local clinics in Cusco, Peru in my Experiential Learning program, I was able to learn about different healthcare systems, have valuable patient interactions, and develop my own clinical skills. I absolutely loved my experience abroad and found that traveling through jungles and hiking mountains, jumping in cenotes and chasing avalanches, and exploring beautiful historical cities allowed me to expand my cultural lens, and even inspire me to pursue a minor in Spanish. In South Africa, we learned about the political climate post apartheid, as well as about many of the natural resources and environment in the region. Finally, in Morocco, we developed leadership skills and cultural competency in an Arabic and French area, learning about the trade, culture, and people! I was able to grow really close with people I met on the trip, and will continue to go on adventures with my new friends in my time at UF.