Office of Study Abroad

Profile: Monica Chen '19

Majors: Health: Science, Society and Policy (HSSP); Minors in Music and Business

Study Abroad Program: DIS: Copenhagen

Graduate School: Yale School of Public Health (MPH Candidate)

Why did you originally choose to study abroad in Copenhagen? As an HSSP major, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in public health. When looking for a study abroad program, I hoped to learn from a country with a health care system that differs from that of the United States. Denmark felt like the perfect place with its considerably successful social welfare system and its ability to provide health care services for its population.

What have you been up to since graduation? After graduating, I started working at Boston Children’s Hospital as a Clinical Research Coordinator for their IBD Center/Gastroenterology division. After two years, I decided to return to school! I am currently a Masters of Public Health (MPH) candidate at the Yale School of Public Health in its Social and Behavioral Sciences Department.

What lessons or skills did you learn from studying abroad that you still think about today or still impact you today on your current path? Living in a different country taught me how much culture dictates health and attitude towards health. While we are dealing with a significantly different system in the U.S., I often think about how we may apply the sentiments and successes of the Danish as they carry out a more collectivist approach to health.

One memory from abroad that still feels like it happened yesterday: One beautiful day at the end of my semester abroad, I played an intense game of whiffle ball with my host brothers, then did a casual wine-tasting with my host mom in their backyard. This perfectly sums up how much my relationship with my host family grew over those few months. I have them to thank for my amazing experience in Denmark!

Your message to students thinking about studying abroad: I would absolutely recommend studying abroad if you can. While everyone experiences their ups and downs abroad, it is guaranteed to be an enriching experience where you can learn and grow. Advocate for yourself, and be sure to make the most of it!