Greg Orwig Cultural Immersion Scholarship

Considering a 12 year age difference, my brother has always been a big role model in my life. When I was in elementary school, I watched him go to college, attain great success, travel abroad a few times, win a scholarship to do research in the Amazon Rainforest, and so much more. These experiences have shaped who he is. In years past, we have had his South American friends sitting with us around our Christmas dinner table. He has inspired me to try and get some of these life-shaping experiences in my time as an undergraduate student. I am interested in going into medicine, and I believe that it is extremely important for physicians to be able to speak Spanish. It is a very prevalent language spoken in many places in our country. About a year ago, I began volunteering at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ, and I have seen first hand the need for Spanish-speaking medical professionals. This has inspired me to pursue a minor in Spanish in college. I have begun taking intermediate level courses that have pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to use the language. During the summer of 2022, I plan on studying abroad with TCNJ. I want to attend the annual study abroad trip to Madrid, Spain. This summer, I am truly getting practice out of my Spanish. I recently became connected with an independent pharmacist from Lindenwold NJ who strives to serve the Spanish speaking residents of the area. Many of these people don't speak any English, are not US Citizens, and are uninsured. Over the Spring, I took the necessary classes to get my Pharmacy Technician license with immunization approval. I have been volunteering in the pharmacy giving these Lindenwold residents their COVID-19 vaccinations. It has been a very eye opening and humbling experience for me. Something that has touched me is that everyone is SO grateful to be sitting in that chair and getting their vaccine. I find that a lot of people in our country expect it or are refusing to get it for political reasons. I believe that all of my attempts to learn the language of Spanish will help me to become a better medical professional someday. A study abroad experience to Spain will help me to learn about their culture and traditions, and further elevate my speaking abilities. I believe that this trip will be one of the highlights of my undergraduate experience.