Big World, Bigger Questions

By: Zorianna Starks

Catching flights, studying minds, and stepping into my next chapter

Ahhhh Me😙(The Queen)

If you asked me to describe myself as a Global Scholar, I wouldn’t just say “a student who studies abroad.” That sounds way too boring for what this actually is. To me, being a Global Scholar means being curious enough to ask questions, brave enough to step into unfamiliar spaces, and open enough to learn from people whose lives look completely different from mine. It’s about understanding that the world is bigger than my own experiences and being excited about that, not intimidated by it.

This summer, I’m taking that mindset to London, England and Amsterdam, Netherlands through the CIEE Summer Comparative Public Health Systems program. Basically, I’ll be studying how different countries run their healthcare systems, but also lowkey people-watching, exploring new cities, and trying not to get lost on public transportation (we’ll see how that goes). I’m really looking forward to seeing how other countries approach mental health, especially for children, because in the U.S., access can feel complicated and unequal. At the same time, I won’t lie, I’m a little nervous. New environments, new systems, new everything. But I think that’s kind of the point.

My Community-Based Inquiry (CBI) focuses on children’s mental health disparities, specifically asking: How do public healthcare systems address unequal access to mental health services for kids in underserved communities? I chose this topic because I want to become a child therapist, and I’ve seen how access to care can completely change someone’s life. This isn’t just research for me. It is personal, future-career, “this actually matters” type of work.

Instead of just looking at individual stories, I’m using a sociological lens, which basically means I’m asking bigger questions like: What systems are helping or failing these families? I’m looking at things like healthcare policy, economic inequality, and access to resources. Because the reality is, kids don’t experience mental health challenges in a vacuum. Systems shape those experiences. Sociology helps me connect those dots and avoid blaming individuals for problems that are much bigger than them.

When it comes to actually being in my host communities, I don’t want to just be “the student who studies and leaves.” I want to engage. That might look like having conversations with locals, observing how healthcare spaces operate, or just being present and respectful in everyday interactions. I also want to share my own culture through conversation, music, perspective, and personal experiences, while learning from others in return. Think mutual exchange, not just observation.

I’m also aware that my own background as a first-generation college student shapes how I see the world. I understand what it feels like to navigate systems that aren’t always clear or accessible, and that perspective pushes me to focus on equity and accessibility in my research. At the same time, I know my experience isn’t everyone’s experience, so I’m committed to listening first and not making assumptions.

At the end of the day, being a Global Scholar means using what I learn to do something meaningful. By comparing healthcare systems in London and Amsterdam, I hope to better understand how to improve access to mental health services for children, especially those who are often overlooked.

And yes, I’ll be learning about public health systems, but I’ll also be growing, adapting, and probably having a few “wow, the world is really big” moments along the way.