Interning with purpose: women creating change abroad

Women can do it all: from isolating the chemical compounds in medicinal plants in Thailand, to advocating for abuse victims in India, there’s a place to practice your craft in a study abroad internship. This episode highlights Maggie, from the University of Idaho, and Haley from the University of Nevada, Reno, who saw firsthand the global impact of women forging their own pathways in their communities.

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Transcript

[00:00:00] Introduction: Hello (Hindi: नमस्ते). Hello (Thai: สวัสดีคะ). Welcome to the Study Abroad Pod. For Women's History Month, we're diving into the stories of two students who took on international internships that became life lessons in resilience, empowerment, and global impact of women. Haley and Maggie, two college seniors, share the surprising similarities between one's task to analyze medicinal plant compounds and the other's work in advocating for victims of abuse. Each student's time abroad challenged their perspectives on gender, independence, and leadership. 

[00:00:38] Maggie H: Hi, I'm Maggie. I'm a senior at University of Idaho. I'm studying International Studies. I'm originally from Boise, Idaho, but now living up here in Moscow. And I have minors in Journalism and Asian Studies. I'm here with Haley.

[00:00:53] Haley M: Hi, I'm Haley. I'm also a senior, at the University of Nevada, Reno. I am studying nutritional science and Spanish and I'm super happy to be here today. How, how are you today, Maggie? 

[00:01:04] Maggie H: I'm great. I'm so excited to be here with you as well. word on the street is that you actually studied abroad a couple times.

[00:01:12] Haley M: This is true. Yes. I am super lucky. I got to study abroad a summer session and a semester in San Ramon, Costa Rica. And I also spent a semester in Viterbo, Italy. And my final program was the summer healthcare internship in Khon Kaen, Thailand. 

[00:01:29] Maggie H: Wow. Those sound like such incredible experiences, Haley. I'm wondering if you can tell me some more about your internship in Thailand?

[00:01:35] Haley M: Yeah, so when, actually when I was studying in Costa Rica, I was connected with one of USAC's fabulous staff and we were just talking about my current program and my current interests, which happened to be in alternative medicine, public health, and she told me about this new program in Khon Kaen where you get to do an internship and shadow traditional Thai medicine doctors and explore different healthcare disciplines in Thailand. And I just like that light bulb went up and I was so excited. I thought, you know, I have to make this happen. This sounds perfect. 

[00:02:14] Maggie H: That does sound really incredible. So, what did you, what did like a typical day look like for you? 

[00:02:20] Haley M: A typical day in Khon Kaen looked like I would wake up and I would brush my teeth in the sink that was actually outside of my room. I had like a sliding screen door, and it was really hot all the time. So, I remember just sweating first thing waking up and brushing my teeth and then getting dressed in my Thai uniform and then walking downstairs. My uniform was this black long skirt that was like pleated and then this white button up shirt with my university's emblem, I have my backpack on, and I would walk to the bus stop, pass by 7 Eleven, grab some breakfast. Then I would ride the bus with my two classmates from the U. S. and meet Thai students in the bus all the time that were so nice and so excited to make connections and new friendships. And then I would have my two classes and attend my internship. So, I took a Thai conversational class and a public health class. In the public health class, we delved into the different disciplines of health care, compared Thai health care with U. S. health care, and we also got to go on field trips. And then with my internship, I would put in roughly at least like four hours a day at a lab. So, I was working with the faculty of pharmaceutical sciences in the Natthida Lab. And so, I got to conduct my own study on Thai medicinal plants and their presence of antioxidants. So that was a really eye opening experience. 

[00:04:04] Maggie H: That's awesome. Oh my gosh. What, like, can you tell me more about the study and like what did you, what are your findings? What Thai medicinal plants were you looking at?

[00:04:15] Haley M: So, I got to pick a Thai plant that I could find in the local market. So, I picked lemongrass because that's found so commonly in Thai dishes. And there was this local little market that I, could pass by on my way to school to easily buy and I prepared the sample myself. I had to first use a mortar and pestle but actually lemongrass was really tough so I had to like cut it up first and then put it in an ethanol solution and then got access to all these really complex machineries to further break down the proteins and then I've used a lot of actually organic chemistry from my organic chemistry lab a few years ago. So that was a, a good refresher and then we did like different distillation processes so that you could basically extract the. from the solution so that you just have the extract from the lemongrass, which was interesting because there was like an oil extract and then a more aqueous water like extract. And then we did this experiment called FRAP, and it's the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power test. And that test basically allows you to test the presence of antioxidants in a sample, and so it was honestly so out of my comfort zone, but I was with such a great team that they helped me basically plan my entire study, and I would think I would get something done by the second week, and it took me till the fourth week. I was really grateful for my team of Thai professors and Thai PhD mentors. They were really the highlight of my experience. It really just gave me. Such a nourishing environment to feel more competent and confident in the research world, before going to that internship. I was super intimidated by that realm, but it was always something I wanted to, you know, have more of an ability in. So, yeah. 

[00:06:27] Maggie H: That sounds incredible. Wow. And I, during my study abroad in India, there was a lot of focus on those traditional medicines. Which is really interesting. Were there any, like, culture shocks that you noticed, like, specifically in the lab? 

[00:06:43] Haley M: Yes, so many. It was honestly a breath of fresh air. I don't get very many opportunities to get exposure to alternative medicine here in the United States, and in such a widely accepted way. So, within the lab, almost everyone on my floor was working on different research to prove the activity of phytochemical of a medicinal plant. So, they're trying to connect that spiritual reasoning of traditional medicine in a scientific, evidence-based way. And it's just so incredibly, I guess, integrated and not ever questioned it's, it's place in healthcare and medicine, which was just so encouraging for me. And on top of that, there was just such a spiritual integration into the research world. I remember one day they had monks come into the lab to bless the animals being tested, which was just mind blowing to me to see that crossover, I guess. So that was really cool. And then there's like Buddhist artifacts and writing over each door in, in the labs. 

[00:07:51] Maggie H: Well, that sounds like such an interesting cultural dynamic. And I definitely saw some of that present in, in India as well. Can you share more about like what field trips you went on while you were doing your internship?

[00:08:03] Haley M: Yeah, we got to go to the pediatric cancer wing to do music therapy, which was really heavy. But what I felt really grateful to support these kids going through a lot. We also got the opportunity to go on a field trip with the international college. So, it was. About 50 students from Myanmar, Indonesia, China, Thailand, and then us three from the U. S. And, oh, and I almost forgot, Cambodia. And it was just so cool to go to a province nearby. And we ended up staying with host families for a night. And they had been preparing this event for over three months, they were so incredibly excited to have us there to share their culture. And so, they made us amazing food, they had dance performances. They did a sacred ceremony to bless us. And we got to do alms giving the next morning, which is when you offer food to the monks. And they like dressed us in traditional Thai clothing. And then it was also on top of just getting that exposure to that specific community. We were all sharing culture between the six countries that we represented. And so, it was just so much cultural exchange, like more than I've ever Had the experience of in 24 hours and one of the coolest takeaways that was probably one of my favorite weekends. The coolest takeaways from that weekend was just how present and energized everyone was there. Like, I never felt judged. I never felt weird. Like, everyone was so accepting and loving and we just felt like, like family within hours, you know. So that was a really special field trip I got to do. 

[00:09:57] Maggie H: Wow, that sounds like such like an emotionally important experience that you had. Were there any like emotional downs that you experienced during your internship?

[00:10:09] Haley M: I was really fortunate, and I felt like my soul just really resonated with the culture and mindset of Thai society. Like the collective mindset is just so special. I felt always thought of and considered and people would always be reaching out to me asking. Hey, do you want to go to market? You want to get food? How are you doing? Are you okay? You know, I think a lot of times, like, especially the research world can be really competitive and cutthroat and there. It wasn't like that at all. Everyone would share what they're working on. They would help each other out. They wouldn't be, you know, you know, annoyed at someone for not knowing something they would just take the time and patience to help them understand. And so, I just I think that really just warmed my heart so much and it makes me miss Thailand to this day. And consider going back maybe. So, I think just that that comparison, of society lifestyles was kind of hard to realize but also, it’s a good problem to have.

[00:11:19] Maggie H: I met several people from Thailand during my study abroad as well, and I can, I can totally attest to the fact that they are such a warm culture, even in just like the, the day that I spent with these people from Thailand. It's, I can imagine that you had a really warming experience while you were there. How did this apply to your major or impact your academics? 

[00:11:44] Haley M: Great question. So, this program, I was able to get seven credits, one credit for my Thai class, three credits for my public health class, and three credits for my research assistantship. So, they counted as 400 level public health capstone classes, and then my Thai class I think was a 100 level world languages class. I want to be a lifelong learner, and there's just so many areas that of study that interest me and so I couldn't pass up this opportunity. But I think it would be incredibly beneficial for other students that need those upper division electives and to get that research experience, especially internationally. What a, what an amazing opportunity. 

[00:12:27] Maggie H: Yeah, totally. My family motto is take advantage of every opportunity. My mom will be proud that I said that on here. Yes, I, I agree with that statement. Absolutely. Can you tell me about What your experience was as a woman in your internship and maybe we can go from there.

[00:12:48] Haley M: Yeah, definitely. I was so in awe of the women I met in my program and in my entire time in Thailand that they were so strong and driven and compassionate and warm still. So, I think they were incredibly inspiring and they, I never felt. You know, judged for my gender during my time in Thailand. Something interesting about Thai language is normally the male sex, or if you identify as male, they would say, crap at the end of every sentence. And then if you identify as female, you would say, kah at the end of every sentence. So, you know. I would say kah. But you know, some people say that even if you're feeling more masculine one day or you've just feel different than you can use crap. So, they're really fluid with it. So, I thought that was really cool to be in that environment of just a safe space to be your most authentic self every day. In general, in Thai culture, people are very quiet, and the, like, the volume of how they speak is just super quiet and reserved. Something else that's kind of cute about Thai culture I wanted to mention was that they love taking selfies. I, I have so many selfies with my Thai friends and international friends too, but that was something they really prioritized, which was really sweet. I integrate more about just like observations of gender. Like something really interesting is, I don't know if you've heard the term 'lady boy'. And basically, that is a man that either identifies as a woman or just puts makeup on and sometimes looks completely like a woman. But I thought that this term was more, like a taboo term because like the way that we hear about it in the U S sometimes people talk about it, but actually one of my mentors was saying like, oh, everyone just says it. Like, that's just what I am. And that's like, I have pride in it and it's not something that they're ashamed of. So, I thought that was interesting because it just seems like it had a different connotation in the United States. So that was interesting to learn about. Okay. It's your turn. Okay, so I want to hear about your internship. 

[00:15:12] Maggie H: Yeah, so I was in Bangalore, India, which is in Southern India, and I was doing an internship at a women's collective. So, they largely worked, it's called Vimochana, and they were largely providing like legal assistance and crisis, crisis care, and then also like community organized events to women in Bangalore who had experienced gender-based violence. 

[00:15:41] Haley M: Wow, that sounds like a really impactful experience. Can you explain what led you to do this internship? 

[00:15:47] Maggie H: Well, for starters, on kind of more of an abstract level, like service is something that's really important to me. And I knew that I wanted to do something that I connected with other women and did like, gave back to the Bangalore community. And then on a more practical level in the Bangalore USAC program, the internship is built into the program. So, the classes are front loaded and then you have time to work. You'll working their full time after like at the end of it for four weeks. And then also my aunt and my grandma both did Fulbright's in India, and they had like this amazing experience. And so, I remember even like in preschool, my grandma came and presented to my preschool class. And so, I mean, subconsciously, I think the, the seed had been planted for me to go to India since I was three years old. 

[00:16:43] Haley M: Oh, my goodness. How special, like you have this legacy of giving back to the communities in India and following the footsteps of your, was it, you said your mom and your grandma? 

[00:16:55] Maggie H: My aunt and my grandma. 

[00:16:57] Haley M: Yeah. And your grandma. Oh my gosh. That's amazing. 

[00:17:00] Maggie H: Yeah. It's been, it's been really special to be able to like share photos and have some similar cultural experiences in India with my aunt and my grandma, but then also have wildly different experiences as well, just by the nature of the programs that we were doing. So that, that has been a learning experience in itself. 

[00:17:20] Haley M: So, could you kind of give us an idea of what a day in the life was during your internship? 

[00:17:27] Maggie H: On the day to day, my main task while I was working at Vimochana was to compile a book. I was like mostly editing this book, and the book was a collection of women's testimonies of how they had experienced gender-based violence. So, a lot of it was domestic violence. So, yeah, it was these stories from women from all over the world sharing their deepest traumas about violence against them. And so other than that, I also helped with public events. I also wrote poetry for the book, and also one of my favorite parts was We just kind of had chats with the other interns and the founder of Vimochana. Her name is Corinne Kumar. She is 80 years old and four feet two inches and just the most fiery person I've ever met honestly, so and very knowledgeable and she really liked to challenge, challenge the norms of India. So, we would have, we'd have conversations about challenging our assumptions as Americans of India, challenging her assumptions and learning from each other.

[00:18:46] Haley M: Wow. She sounds like an incredible woman. And even the fact that you decided to be part of this nonprofit is such a like beautiful testament to like sisterhood and supporting fellow women. I can't imagine the impacts and what a growing space that was, especially if you're constantly talking and challenging current norms.

[00:19:11] Maggie H: Yeah. And you're so right. Actually, I was trying to think of what word I could use to describe it, and I think sisterhood is actually the exact perfect word because reading these testimonies that these women had written, you get like a sense of camaraderie with these women and especially editing their work. I mean, that's such a personal, a personal thing. And so, I think you're right. Like, it is a sense of sisterhood. 

[00:19:40] Haley M: Yeah, and how special to help people share their truth too, and the fact that that's going to connect to people that haven't shared their truth and make them feel less alone, ugh, like, my heart, that is just so incredibly impactful.

[00:19:57] Maggie H: Yeah, it was very impactful. 

[00:19:59] Haley M: Yeah, so, Maggie, could you talk about some of the stressors that you faced during this internship?   

[00:20:07] Maggie H: So, by the time that I did my internship, I had already been living in India for like two months, two to three months. So, I felt like I was like starting to get a handle on some of the cultural differences, especially just like the everyday cultural differences. But, and the language barrier, like learning how to communicate cross culturally. However, I didn't know how to, how to navigate these cultural differences in writing, and as a, as a writer myself, especially being formally trained in journalism, we focus on always being clear and concise. Those are like two of the pillars of good journalism, but that's not the case for every other culture, including India there. It's more of a reader responsible culture than a writer responsible culture. So, a reader responsible culture is one where it places the onus on the reader to figure it out, and then a writer responsible culture is where it places the onus on the writer to be completely clear and concise in everything that they're talking about. And so, India is a more reader responsible culture, while my formal training in the U. S. So, that was a big cultural difference. I honestly didn't even consciously know that at the time. So, but I was, I was learning it hands on for sure. And then also like navigating using British English and British spellings for things because they, India, uses British English. I, I learned a lot about being a good editor. And then another cultural difference that I noticed from working there is it's definitely a more unstructured work environment. Not necessarily unorganized, but here, I have, like, everything. I have, like, my to do lists from my supervisor and emails and everything is, like, exactly laid out, which I think is a very American work style, but in India, it was, at least, working at Vimochana, it was much more unstructured, which I think is kind of a general in India as well. Like it's just a less, there's less focus on structure and it was also much more analog here. I sit behind a computer for eight hours a day. but there I was, believe it or not, I was writing with a pen and paper, which was crazy because I don't do that ever anymore. 

[00:22:40] Haley M: Oh, how did it feel to be writing instead of, you know, 

[00:22:46] Maggie H: Frankly, at first it was a challenge. I feel so Gen Z saying that that like writing with a pen is like a difficult thing, but I think especially because I was contributing poetry, I was able to maybe connect with the words in a different way. 

[00:23:04] Haley M: I think that's so fantastic. In my hobby free time, I love to write. I had a journal in my studies abroad and I honestly am very envious of your, your area of study. And I'm, I can't imagine how beneficial that was for you to be able to gain a more global perspective of how things are perceived and in writing. 

[00:23:25] Maggie H: Yeah, I totally agree. First of all, talking about journaling. That's like my biggest advice for anybody thinking about studying abroad or currently studying abroad is to totally keep a journal, not even just like for the memories, but I think it also helps you reflect while you're there. And then also back to what you were saying about learning to write for a different audience. I think it's so, that is so relevant. Even if you're not a writer, I, or even if you're not writing for a global audience or like a wildly different audience, I know that even in Idaho, where I'm from and who I generally write to as an audience, there's still cultural differences between urban and rural or somebody who's lived in Idaho for 20 years or somebody who just moved here.  So, I think it's, yeah, it's really important to know how to, and it strengthened my ability to write for a diverse audience, even if it's not as diverse as 8, 000 miles away. I think one of the biggest challenges of this internship was day after day to read the most horrific things that had ever happened to hundreds of women, especially in the society that I was currently living in. It's, I mean, India is a very patriarchal society and gender-based violence is a serious issue there. And I, I know that I even, like, sometimes was uncomfortable with how men treated me on the street. And so, yeah, reading, reading these stories day after day was definitely mentally draining and emotionally draining as well.

[00:25:05] So one of the other challenges that I faced was in editing these, these testimonies. Some of the women included, like, political opinions in their testimonies were not based on facts. And so, I struggled with that because I didn't want to propagate these, like, political opinions that were not factual, but also that is their truth. And I, I didn't know how to, I didn't want to silence their story. But I also didn't want to spread misinformation and so I, the conclusion that I came to is I, I talked with Corrine, who was my supervisor, who I was working closely with and she, she went and asked these women for more, more information. And to try to develop the story a little bit more, but that was, that was a challenge for me, and I didn't know I had never dealt with an ethical dilemma in my work before.

[00:26:12] Haley M: Wow, that sounds pretty challenging. And it sounds like you handled it in a really appropriate way. I'm sure that it won't be the last time that you encounter certain ethical challenges in your career and I'm sure that it helped you to have that experience. 

[00:26:30] Maggie H: Yeah, no, definitely. 

[00:26:32] Haley M: Okay, I'm loving hearing about your experience. Oh my gosh. Could you talk about some periods of joy during your experience? 

[00:26:40] Maggie H: I would say that one of my biggest joys was how fulfilling the experience was in general. More specifically, I think finding grounding in my poetry was awesome. I'm, I'm a poet at heart, I like to think, but sometimes it's hard when you have six assignments due tonight to like, oh, I'm going to sit down and write a poem. So having the space to actually write poetry and write in a more creative way was awesome, and I, I wrote poetry that I'm proud of, and that I think is really important and relevant, and so that was definitely a joy and an empowering. And then, yeah, like you were saying before, I think another joy was finding that sisterhood and the broader community of the woman whose story I was writing, because again, it is so personal to edit someone's work, especially their deepest traumas. So, I, I found that very fulfilling. 

[00:27:42] Haley M: I can only imagine. Oh my gosh. Wow, Maggie, it sounds like you really developed a lot of professional skills, but not only. Towards your career, but also personal development as well, and I also can resonate with your points of view on practically everything being challenged and you and I both had unique experiences and the fact that I don't know how many people were with you in your program, but I had two other classmates with me and we were both, we're all women. And so, you know, it was, we had each other, and we created this community, but yeah, that's it. I had to have my own initiative in order to create the experience I wanted. So, I don't know how it was for you. 

[00:28:30] Maggie H: Yeah, I also, I had three people, three other people in my program and yeah, that is actually such a great point that it was, it was like a you, you take the initiative to do what you want to do. It is like a, you have to take the initiative, take advantage of every opportunity.  

[00:28:48] Haley M: I also have a question, Maggie, like were, were you ever scared? Like the night before I flew to Thailand, I was terrified. I was nauseous and like, just so nervous to go so far away from home, even though. I literally had nothing to be nervous about, but I just wonder because I know a lot of women are afraid of traveling, especially in such an independent context, but I think we need more of it personally, but please let me know what you think. 

[00:29:20] Maggie H: Yeah, I think I, I also, yes, was very nervous and it almost, I mean, it didn't quite feel real until I landed there. And then that's, that's when I was nervous and I don't, I don't think it's unfounded for women to be nervous about traveling abroad, especially in like, in India. Yeah, there's, there are concerns with women and men dynamics and so it was empowering now that I, I, I'm a strong woman and I can do it. And I, I developed a lot of independence, especially given that Like we said, there was two to three other people in our cohorts. And so, I, it forced me to develop a lot of independence and self-reliance and. discover a lot about myself that I wouldn't have experienced on in a different study abroad program. 

[00:30:16] Haley M: Absolutely. I have; I have no doubt that you are an incredible independent woman.

[00:30:26] Maggie H: Hayley and I, we both did internships while we were abroad. And since it's women's history month, we wanted to recognize the powerful mentorship of the woman that we worked with while we were abroad? 

[00:30:40] Haley M: Absolutely. The majority of the leadership throughout my program and throughout my research assistantship was women led, and I was just so impressed with their accomplishments, with their dedication to their work, and also how warm and compassionate and inspiring they were. I feel like sometimes it's really a competitive space in the leadership world for women and sometimes we have to be more cold and we feel the need to be more cold and direct in order to get the respect and make sure that we're being treated the same as our male counterparts. And so, I just felt really grateful that I could have that warmth in the leadership of my female mentors and that they felt able to have that energy in that environment. I think that the women in leadership were able to have that compassion and warmth and still take charge and express when something needs to be addressed, in a direct manner, but still have not this cutthroat approach to it. 

[00:31:54] Maggie H: That sounds incredible. 

[00:31:55] Haley M: Yes, absolutely. I definitely want to give a shout out to my resident director, Jum. She is. She knows so many people and she has so many stories and was just such a supportive director to me and my two classmates. So, I really appreciated her. And then, in my research assistantship, the Natthida lab is named after Natthida, my professor, which in Thai they say Ajarn for professor. So, she goes by Ajarn Jo. Something interesting about Thai names are usually longer, so they have a nickname that's like one syllable. So, her first name is Natthida, but she goes by Jo. And Ajarn Jo, I don't, I can't, I lose count of how many studies she's published. She's worked in the research field for decades and is so dedicated to her work and treats her students like her children because it's her life. And going back to that warmth in leadership, she really takes her students under her wing and gives them the best shot of learning and exploring the opportunities in the research world. So, I wanted to acknowledge Ajarn Jo for that. So, in Thai culture, if someone's older than you, or have a higher status than you, then you put before their name P. And that basically means like older brother or older sister. I definitely want to mention and appreciate my two mentors. Their names are P'Pop and P'Karn and P'Pop and P'Karn. I owe them so much. They, they put up with me being all over the place and not knowing what I was doing and making mistakes. And on top of that, we would go to lunch together. We would go get Thai tea together. We would go to cafes on the weekend. So, they really became. my closest friends during the program, and I still talk to them this day. 

[00:33:49] Maggie H: That sounds like such a special experience to be able to find a support system when you're away from your usual support system in the U. S. So that is awesome. 

[00:34:02] Haley M: Yes, I completely agree. 

[00:34:03] Maggie H: Yeah, I also had some really inspiring mentors while I was abroad. I remember Seema, like, teaching me how to tie a sari, and that was like a, that was just such a memorable moment. So, much, much love to Seema. I also had some really incredible professors who were such rad women, and they Even, I mean, India is a pretty patriarchal society, like I had mentioned, but all of my professors were women and very knowledgeable. I'm very excited to teach and so I'm, I'm very thankful for them as well. And then finally, Corrine, who, who was my mentor at my internship. I remember everybody talked about her. Like, she was like a, like an actual superhero and I remember that, like, I remember the day that I met her and, like, being summoned down. I felt like I was meeting royalty and she, she's worked with, like, Nelson Mandela and has traveled all over the world and has done some really, I mean, really mind-blowing work. And so, it was such an honor to work with her and to have to have all of my, my beliefs challenged by Corrine Kumar is that's a pretty cool thing.

[00:35:26] Haley M: Absolutely. Oh my gosh. That we we're so lucky to have met all these incredible women, and I have no doubt that we're both gonna keep them in our hearts and continue to be inspired by them and what we do in the future. 

[00:35:42] Maggie H: Yes. Couldn't have said it better myself. Yeah. Do you have any plans to travel back to Southeast Asia anytime soon? 

[00:35:54] Haley M: I really hope so. Right now, I don't have any current plans, but I know I need to see my friends again. We, we still talk like. Almost on a weekly basis. And I love to hear about what they're doing. My one of my PhD mentors is now graduated in a professor at the university. So, I'm really happy for him. And actually, it was really cool. They had mentioned to me, if I ever want to come back for a master's or PhD, that they would love to have me again. So, who knows if I want to go down that path, that's an option. So. 

[00:36:27] Maggie H: That's awesome. Wow. 

[00:36:29] Haley M: Yeah. What about you, Maggie? What are your next steps?

[00:36:32] Maggie H: Next question? My, my plan currently is to move to D. C. in August. So, we'll see. Things are shifting around a little bit there right now. But I'm hoping to live the big D. C. life come, come this fall. 

[00:36:52] Haley M: That's so exciting. Oh my gosh. Well, I hope, I wish you all the best on your next adventure in D. C. That's fantastic.

[00:37:00] Maggie H: Well, Hayley, it has been such a pleasure chatting with you today and learning about your experience. It sounds like you had a very fulfilling experience and got a unique angle on research. 

[00:37:12] Haley M: Likewise. I just feel I feel so enriched by hearing about your experience and honestly, so touched by it. It's been, it's been so nice talking to you, Maggie. I truly, this was just such a heartwarming conversation with you. Thank you again for sharing. 

[00:37:29] Maggie H: Yeah, totally. Right back at ya. 

[00:37:33] Outro: Thank you for listening to the Study Abroad Pod, a podcast brought to you by the University Studies Abroad Consortium. Please listen, subscribe, and review us on Buzzsprout or wherever you get your podcasts. You can follow USAC on all your favorite social media channels @studyabroadusac. And if you have an idea for a future episode or want to learn more about study abroad, you can email us at studyabroad@usac.edu.