My name is Abby Emsley, and I was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. I spent most of my life there until I moved for college. I’m currently a senior at Clemson University, where I study Spanish and International Health, with a minor in Cluster Life Sciences. I’m set to graduate in May 2025 – it feels surreal! Over my four years at Clemson, many things have changed, but many have remained the same.

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          When I first researched colleges, Clemson felt like the perfect fit. I had always wanted to attend a southern school for the warm weather and of course, southern hospitality. After spending four years in South Carolina, I can confidently say that it’s as real as people say. I was also drawn to Clemson’s offering of my unique major, Spanish and International Health. Having hosted Spanish exchange students and taken Spanish classes throughout middle and high school, I had built a strong foundation in the language and was eager to continue learning. Additionally, this major allowed me to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor while studying health science. After visiting the campus, I confirmed that Clemson was the right place for me. I came to Clemson with the goal of attending medical school, and while my desire to become a doctor has not changed, the reasons behind this goal have evolved as I’ve broadened my perspective and grown over the past four years. 

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          Mastering scientific concepts is just one part of preparing for a career in medicine. At Clemson, I’ve had the opportunity to deepen my academic knowledge in courses like Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Microbiology. As a freshman, I believed that doing well in these courses was the key to moving on to becoming a successful doctor. I thought getting A’s meant I was on the right path. However, over time, my understanding has evolved, particularly through my coursework in the humanities. While science courses are undeniably important, developing personal skills such as effectively communicating with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds is often overlooked. Through my major, I’ve had the chance to study culture and its influence on health, live abroad, intern in a foreign health system, and explore Spanish language and culture. Medicine requires much more than scientific knowledge; it also demands cultural humility, cultural competency, respect, and awareness. I’m grateful to have learned these essential skills in my studies. While I still aspire to become a doctor, what stands out most to me is the importance of cultural humility and the ability to communicate with patients, taking their cultural backgrounds into account.

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          This awareness has been shaped not only through coursework but also through practical experience. One of the most impactful experiences during my time at Clemson was my internship in Sevilla, Spain. In addition to academic classes, I worked as a clinical intern at a hospital, assisting nurses with rounds, taking vital signs, shadowing doctors, retrieving medications, and helping with any tasks I was qualified to do. Being in a foreign professional setting pushed me to develop important skills, such as adaptability, cross-cultural communication, cultural competence, professionalism, and resilience. Despite facing challenges like adjusting to a new culture, learning a new system, and understanding a new language, I remained committed to learning and growing. A growth mindset is a value that was tested during my time abroad, and it will continue to guide me throughout my career. While I felt confident in my ability to communicate in Spanish due to years of study, I quickly realized that the southern accent and Andalusian Spanish spoken in Sevilla presented more challenges than I anticipated. Instead of getting discouraged, I embraced the opportunity to improve and learn more about the culture in Spain. There’s always room to grow, and there’s always something to learn from others.

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          One patient I met in the hospital who made a lasting impression on me was a man in his 90s with severe dementia, who was nonverbal and mostly immobile. When I first met him and observed the nurses taking his vital signs, I noticed they barely acknowledged him as a person. In the following days, when it was my turn to take his vital signs, I made sure to greet him and explain what I was doing—this also gave me a chance to practice my Spanish without feeling embarrassed. When I left, his eyes would follow me, and I truly felt that he recognized me, even though he couldn’t verbally express it. Despite his limited abilities, I learned so much from him, especially the importance of empathy and patience in medicine.

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          Throughout my time at Clemson, I’ve come to realize that the world is much bigger than what we see in front of us. Personal growth and development come from opening your eyes, connecting with others, and remaining open to learning from them. It’s important to recognize that you can always grow and learn, no matter how much you think you know. Even after years of hard work and studying, I recognize how much there is still to learn. As a future doctor, I know I won’t have all the answers, especially when it comes to my diverse patients and their unique experiences. My responsibility will be to listen to them and learn from them, just as I hope they will learn from me. Their input will be invaluable, as social determinants are deeply intertwined with health.

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          I am incredibly grateful for my education so far, especially the opportunity to study not only the sciences but also the humanities and their role in health. I am excited to continue my education, and continue to learn new things.  I’m optimistic that the skills and experiences I’ve gained will help me become a compassionate and culturally aware doctor in the future.