Fulbright Scholar Stephanie Washington
is a third-year medical student at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018.
From taking courses in Spanish Sign Language to climbing mountains and lunching with wild goats at the summit, my Fulbright experience was a whirlwind. I completed a pre-doctoral research fellowship with Fulbright where I researched the “Impact of Deaf Education on Deaf University Students’ Self-Identity, Language Attitude, and Relationship with the Local Deaf Community in Spain” at a university in Madrid. I loved the challenge of setting up research in a completely new environment and the satisfaction in achieving various stages of research. I also enjoyed participating in professional opportunities found during my Fulbright experience. I assisted a group of Deaf university students in preparing for Gallaudet University, the only Deaf University in the world. While one’s Fulbright work can be incredible, the experience can be so much more than the project itself.
I knew I wanted to attend medical school eventually, but I promised myself that I would pursue as many non-medical passions and interests as possible. I also wanted to experience as much of Spain as I could. I traveled as a Spanish resident, proudly touting my Spanish identification card in lieu of my US identification or passport. Even though I really had no idea what medical school would be like, I knew that I would have plenty of time to immerse myself and explore the field of medicine at a later point. I cannot express how thankful I am for the mindset of Fulbright Stephanie, for it gave me a wealth of fun experiences and interesting stories that have served me well as fond memories on a particularly difficult day, during discussions on various topics with friends and colleagues, and most likely during my future interviews to residency.
I cannot say that my Fulbright experience was only sunny days and smiles, though. There were many days that I felt very isolated and foreign. There were moments where a cultural faux pas made me chuckle awkwardly and times where a misunderstanding made me uncomfortable and, even sometimes, a little afraid.
Medical school is not easy, I’m writing this in the basement of the hospital and trying not to fall asleep at my keyboard. But I remind myself that I’ve experienced so many other challenges and made it through each one with a little extra wisdom, or at the very least a good lesson. I’ll continue to strive towards my goals, not forgetting to savor all of the experiences and lessons that have led me to this point. I wish you, reader, the best of luck as you chase your dreams- Fulbright or otherwise.