Saints Around the World: Nyon/Geneva, Switzerland

Palak Patel '27 wasn't really interested in studying abroad even though it seemed to be a priority for plenty of her friends. Patel decided to pop into the Study Abroad office just to see what the hype was about. Next thing you know...

As far as back as Patel can remember, she's been interested in science. That fascination morphed into an interest in medicine by high school, right around the time the pandemic hit.

"I saw how health professionals took care of people in our community and it was inspiring. I volunteered at local vaccine clinics in high school, and that's what solidified my interest in Siena. It's combining medicine with the humanities."

The Saugerties, New York native was accepted into Siena's Albany Medical College program, which guarantees early acceptance into Albany Med. There's a service component to the program, which Patel will satisfy this summer, but this spring, she's exploring the intersection of the humanities and medicine in the undisputed world capital of public health.

"These are incredible opportunities and experiences that I just couldn't possibly get if I didn't leave Siena and come here."

The School for International Training, with lectures and class excursions in both Nyon and Geneva, Switzerland, focuses on global health, humanitarian action, and social justice. Students meet with experts for briefings and lectures at the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross, among others. Patel visited the United Nations at Geneva her first week in Switzerland.

"We got a tour of the entire building. There was a session going on and the tour guide explained what was happening. I visited the UN in New York City in the 8th grade. So it's cool that I can say I've been to both places."

One day when Patel was volunteering at a vaccine clinic back in high school, she was in charge of line control and remembers spotting a woman who was visibly nervous. Patel went up to her, hoping the distraction would allay the woman's concerns, and she learned the woman had never once in her life been vaccinated. This shot was going to potentially save her life.

"It was this epiphany. I realized how public health can make such a powerful difference in people's lives. That really drove my interest in medicine and its connection to the community. It's so important that information about medicine is disseminated in a positive way."

In Geneva, Patel is literally at the epicenter of public health and sustainable development. Next week, she'll join her classmates on an eight-day trip to Morocco. They'll compare and contrast public health systems in the two countries and contextualize the impact of development on health.

Study Abroad, as Patel discovered, isn't the same education in an international location. It's the portal to an educational and cultural experience that can't possibly be replicated on campus.

Students - which destination connects you with your passion? Stop by the Study Abroad office to find out.