As a junior in the chemistry and pre-med program at Pomona College in California, Jamila Abdilahi (Cohort 15) knew a traditional study abroad program wouldn’t be possible with her rigorous course load. So, when the school announced a new summer abroad program, she jumped at the chance to join. “The class was called Diplomacy and Human Rights in the Mediterranean, which I’m passionate about because I’m Muslim,” she said.

The first-of-its-kind program took 14 students through Brussels, Belgium, and numerous stops in Morocco. The class included an immersive mix of traditional coursework and engagements with speakers and diplomats. In Brussels, the group visited NATO headquarters, the European Union Parliament, and the European Commission, while their Moroccan leg took them to the U.S. Consul General in Casablanca and the U.S. Embassy in Rabat, Morocco’s capital.

For Jamila, this was an eye-opening experience that tested and expanded her communication skills. “I’m the kind of student that’s gotten used to being in the background,” she said.

I pushed myself to do all the readings the night before and have at least one question prepared. And then, I’d make sure I was listening to every word and understanding everything, which helped me with my listening skills and active engagement.”

Jamila was also impressed with how complex and nuanced the fields of diplomacy and international relations are, whether it’s understanding the motivations of politicians and governments or grappling with important topics like Islamophobia. She can already see how her expanded understanding of the world will impact her future medical career. “I think it’s important for people pursuing medicine to have a wide range of knowledge in their back pocket. Having prejudices about a group can affect the care you give them without you knowing. I think taking classes that open your mind to a diverse range of people is important. As a doctor, you will be interacting with so many different patients, and it’s essential that those interactions are always positive,” she said.

*This article was originally published in a recent Rainer Scholars newsletter. Rainier Scholars is a 12-year program that offers a pathway to college graduation for hard-working, low-income students of color. Currently, there are 34 Rainer Scholar students attending our school and 84 UPrep Rainier Scholar alumni.