When I first told my family that I had decided to study in Switzerland for a semester, they were all so excited for me. But then, my older brother asked me where Sweden was on the map. I told my parents that during my program, I would study global health in Switzerland and then do a comparative study of healthcare systems by spending eight days in Morocco. Like most people, my family didn't quite understand what I would really be learning and were confused about why I was so excited also to have the chance to go to Morocco-- a country so different than our own. I realized then that our world views are often skewed, and our perspectives aren't always right.
It wasn't until after I traveled and lived and learned amongst people of different backgrounds, religions, and ways of life that I realized just how truly different the world was from what I (and my family) had imagined. First of all, Switzerland and Sweden are two different countries; although they have some common things, they are unique with different languages, customs and cultures. Switzerland is known for its international community. It's a place where leaders in science, politics, education, and health meet to solve the world's problems. Switzerland is currently the world's humanitarian capital, and no wonder-- Swiss people are very kind and compassionate.
