Kendra Gordillo’s Fulbright experience

 

Hi all! My name is Kendra, and I’m a 2023-2024 Fulbrighter to the Netherlands. I study Philosophy, Bioethics and Health at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Before pursuing my Master’s here, I studied Genetics with a minor in Philosophy at Clemson University in South Carolina.

 

My Fulbright experience has been nothing short of exciting, eye opening, and inspiring. Living and studying in Amsterdam means I meet people not just from the Netherlands, but from all over the world. I love to bike to my classes, travel throughout the country, and now I’m really trying my absolute best to learn Dutch. The Fulbright Commission in the Netherlands has also arranged cultural excursions for us while we are here, such as visiting the Keukenhof and several museum tours. These are excellent ways to learn more about Dutch culture, see more of the Netherlands beyond our home base, and get to know the other Fulbrighters here. We all have such a breadth of interests and passions, so that makes it really exciting to connect within our cohort. We are also able to connect with alumni of the Fulbright program – recently, another current Fulbrighter and I shared lunch with a Dutch Fulbright Alumni who studied in the US and it was so nice to share our experiences together. Not only am I making connections with my fellow American Fulbrighters in the Netherlands, but I have met some of the wonderful Dutch Alumni which has provided me with more familiar faces while I study abroad.

 

 

My academic pursuits have been equally eye opening and inspiring. One interesting aspect of my Master’s program is that they require enrollment of a second, science based Master’s program. I enrolled in Global Health, and as part of that program, I am doing an internship in the Community Genetics research section (within the Department of Human Genetics) at Amsterdam UMC. In this internship, I am able to combine my passion for genetics, bioethics, and global health into one project, as well as getting hands-on, practical experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research. Being able to connect with researchers in this field has been invaluable and I am so thankful for this opportunity to conduct research in such an important field.

 

Studying PBH at VU Amsterdam has truly been a life changing experience. My studies have broadened my horizons tremendously, given me new insights into Bioethics and helped me solidify my desire to pursue Bioethics at the highest levels. I am so grateful to my Fulbright community here in the Netherlands, as well as all my family, friends, and mentors who helped me reach this point.