Hello! My name is Daniel Komlosi. I am a rising junior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Bioengineering on the pre-medical track. After graduating the University of Pittsburgh, my dream is to attend medical school and eventually work as a pediatrician. Throughout my academic journey so far, I have become increasingly interested in healthcare, patient interactions, and understanding how healthcare extends beyond hospitals and clinics into communities. This summer, I am taking an important step toward those goals by participating in the International Internship Program in Dublin, Ireland.
Studying and interning abroad creates an opportunity for me to step outside of my comfort zone and adapt to a completely different environment. Moving to another country for nearly two months will expose me to a different culture, healthcare system, and way of living that I would not be able to experience through many other opportunities. While I am thrilled about traveling across Ireland, I am equally excited about meeting new people, making connections, and becoming part of a community that is completely different to me. I hope to connect with individuals who work in healthcare and disability services while also learning from the people I will interact with daily.
Academically, I chose the International Internship Program in Dublin because it fits perfectly into the type of academic experience, I am looking for to achieve my goals. Bioengineering and medicine are fields that use not only technical knowledge but also strong communication skills. This experience will challenge me to interact with others in an unfamiliar environment where I can develop these crucial communication skills.
For my internship placement, I will be working with Saint John of God Dublin Southeast Services, an organization that provides support services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and additional support needs. This placement is meaningful to me because it offers hands-on experience working directly with individuals in this special healthcare environment. As someone pursuing medicine, I believe that direct interaction with patients and service users is one of the most valuable learning experiences that will guide future decisions.
Professionally, I hope this internship helps me develop stronger interpersonal and patient-centered care skills. Rather than expanding my scientific/technical knowledge, such as through a classroom environment, I am hoping to develop my skills in other areas. Healthcare careers require more than just pure scientific knowledge; they require patience, empathy, communication, and the ability to understand each person’s unique needs. Being exposed to this unique environment will allow me to better understand how these other skills, alongside scientific knowledge, can be applied to support individuals and improve their care.
Another reason this experience is important to me professionally is because it will help guide me to make future career decisions. While I currently want to become a pediatrician, I know that healthcare is a very broad field with many various specialties and paths to follow. By exposing myself to an environment where I provide disability care and community care, I may confirm my current goals or introduce me to different avenues of medicine and patient care that I have not considered prior. It may also open my eyes to the idea of working in an international healthcare system, and some key differences between the Irish healthcare system and the US healthcare system. I hope this experience helps guide my future academic decisions, medical school goals, and professional goals.
On a personal level, I also hope to provide a positive contribution to the community I will be working within. I want to be helpful, reliable, and engaged by actively helping in any manner. I want to put 100% into my role in the community. Building meaningful connections with coworkers/service providers and community members will allow me to learn from them through sharing their unique experiences and perspectives. I also hope to meet compassionate and dedicated people who work within healthcare and disability services because surrounding myself with individuals who are passionate about helping others is something that motivates and inspires me.
Ultimately, I expect this experience to challenge me academically, professionally, and personally. I anticipate that living abroad, working directly with individuals in care settings, and adapting to a new environment will be challenging and come with its struggles. However, I am up for the challenge and know I will make the most out of this experience. My goal is to return from Dublin with stronger professional skills, a broader perspective on healthcare, greater confidence in working in a different environment, and a clearer understanding of where I see myself in the future.
I am so excited to share this experience in Dublin with everyone for the next 8 weeks!