Good Things Come to Those Who Go: Vulnerability in Teaching and Leading Study Tours Abroad

Abstract

A medical school research faculty member working with a faculty member who teaches undergraduate career education and experiential learning together created an innovative teaching and learning dynamic. Interdisciplinarity became a bit of a buzzword in academic circles, so while this may not seem innovative at first glance, realizing the synthesis of seemingly disparate disciplines in practice is much more difficult- and can lead to some real personal innovation. I plan to sustain this growth mindset and personal innovation by continuing to take risks to teach and lead study tours in interdisciplinary ways by reading books and articles suggested by colleagues outside of my field.  Just as I have grown and learned from my mentors, I hope others can learn from me that sometimes the only way to get there is to go do what the universe is telling you to do in your teaching despite your fears.