University of Wisconsin–Madison

Portugal: Becca Warzyn

Program: UW Movement as Medicine, Summer

Becca’s Major: Kinesiology

What is your most memorable experience from your program?

My most memorable experience was exploring the castles of Sintra! So much of Portugal’s history is located in Sintra and there is so much to see and learn there. It puts into perspective just how old of a country it is compared to the U.S.

Becca leans against an arched, stone window which is surrounded by chipped, blue painted tiles.
Becca in a windowsill in the historic tile museum of Lisbon, Portugal surrounded by thousands of hand-painted hundred-year-old tiles.

How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?

The program in Portugal is unique because two great Kinesiology professors from UW designed and teach the class. All of the classmates were also from UW and we did all of the activities and classes together. The topic in this study abroad was sedentary behavior, and we had tons of real-world experiences to help us learn about movement. We had time in the classroom, and activities outside all over Lisbon to practice movement. Truly a
unique classroom experience.

All of these topics help me understand the world around me in so many ways, and reminds me that exercise can be medicine. This is amazing knowledge for all future health professionals.

How will your experience benefit you in the future?  

The topic of this course relates to not only my future as a clinician, but also my own health and wellbeing. We learned the effects sedentary behavior has on various health outcomes, what areas of the world are more likely to have higher sedentary rates, and how culture can effect health. All of these topics help me understand the world around me in so many ways, and reminds me that exercise can be medicine. This is amazing knowledge for all future health professionals.