So far, it’s been one week since I completed my experience. I made excellent connections, in particular a remote research position with a medical student.
My experience started a bit before the blogs, the first two weeks being entirely virtual. Albeit, it was also only roughly 2/3 hours a day as opposed to the all encompassing component of the in person portion. It wasn’t a difficult adjustment. Gainesville isn’t particularly far from where I live in Florida, and stays in new cities isn’t an entirely unfamiliar experience for me. If I had to fly on an airplane for my experience, I’d wager it’d be more of a challenge to adjust. I’ve only been on a plane once; this first time was shortly before I began my freshmen year, so this wasn’t too long ago. Plus, this was under high guidance from an adult more familiar with traveling. It’d be a tad nerve wracking for me for me to navigate it all by myself.
That said, of the people who talked a good amount during the virtual portion, they were about the same as people when I met them in person. Of course, the in person portion was more fun, with social activities organized and time to spend with people similar to myself. The virtual portion laid out the groundwork for the in-person events, but I do not see myself discussing this much in my final project as it was a brief warmup.
For the time being, whilst I relax I will continue to garner how to best connect these experiences to my interests. Attached is a picnic social hosted by the program I attended.
HSF House Blogs 