A World of Possibilities Jessica DiLorenzo, Director, Global Initiatives
J
essica DiLorenzo’s office on the ACPHS campus is
studying plants in the Amazon. Pharm.D. candidates can
less than 30 miles from the Clifton Park neighbor-
gain clinical and research experience with rotations in
hood where she grew up. But the path that brought
Switzerland, China, and Japan. Others have opted to take
her here covered thousands of miles—through
classes and obtain transfer credits from the University
Washington, DC, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.
of Belgrano in Argentina, an APCHS affiliate. And this
The perspective she gained on that journey turned
out to be the ideal preparation for her position as
Director of the College’s recently created Office of Global Initiatives. Following her graduation from high school, Jessica headed to George Washington University in Washington,
summer, Jessica accompanied a group of students on a volunteer, not-for-credit, medical mission to Ghana, where they provided health care services to local villagers. Additional study abroad opportunities for ACPHS students exist in Belize, Brazil, Dominica, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Kenya, Peru, and more.
DC, where she earned a degree in International Business.
Of course, you don’t have to travel the world to gain a
Realizing that she was more interested in foreign cultures
global perspective. The Office of Global Initiatives has also
than in business, she abandoned plans for law school and
helped facilitate a wide range of multi-cultural experiences
set out to find a way to travel and live abroad.
on campus that include samba lessons and Brazilian des-
A Google search led her to opportunities in South
serts; Fair Trade Craft Fairs featuring hand-made gifts from
Korea, and she eventually secured a two-year position
developing countries; concerts by a Ghanaian drummer and
teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Ulsan,
Indian classical musicians; and an African film series.
the country’s industrial capital. “To be thrown into a situation where you don’t know
More than ten percent of ACPHS students are from outside the United States, and reaching out to this pop-
anyone and don’t speak the language was a tremendous
ulation is also a priority for Jessica. “Because I’ve had
challenge, but an invigorating one,” Jessica says. She rap-
the experience of going abroad with no support, I know
idly adjusted, mastering enough conversational Korean to
how important this is,” she says. Events for international
navigate daily life.
students include orientation meetings, field trips to see the
Jessica learned about the Global Initiatives position at
world beyond the campus, and a popular ESL class, piloted
ACPHS during a brief visit home. In true global fashion,
last year, which teaches how to speak English with an
she interviewed via Skype from South Korea and landed
American accent.
the job. She subsequently completed her teaching contract
Some wonder if all this really matters. How do students
and returned to the Capital District to begin her new
benefit from learning about other cultures? “On a practical
career, but not before carving out some time for a once-in-
level, it impresses potential employers,” said Jessica. “But
a-lifetime backpacking trip through Southeast Asia.
what’s most important is how it changes your perspective.
Today, Jessica helps ACPHS students pursue global experiences like the ones that changed her life. ACPHS students are now able to earn academic credits learning about the customs and cultures of Senegal or
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It makes you much more empathetic, which is important when you work in a country as culturally diverse as the U.S. I don’t think it’s possible to go abroad and experience another culture and come back the same person.”