Kate Bass

Program: UF in Merida - Tropical Ecology & Spanish

Program Type: UF-Sponsored

Major: Biology (CALS)

Minor: Spanish

Pronouns: She/her

Office Hours: Thursdays 9:35 am - 10:25 am

Hello! My name is Kate Bass (she/her), and I have studied abroad on three programs so far, including UF in Mérida (Mexico), UF in Cusco: Experiential Learning for the Health Professions (Peru), and UF Honors Scholars: Cultural Enrichment (Peru). In Mexico, our experience focused on tropical ecology and Spanish, immersing us into the Mayan and Spanish culture in the Yucatán (Summer B 2022). In Peru, our cultural enrichment program allowed us to restore local establishments, learn about the Spanish, Inca, and Wari people, and travel across the region. Finally, through shadowing and volunteering in local clinics in Cusco, Peru in my Experiential Learning program, I was able to learn about different healthcare systems, have valuable patient interactions, and develop my own clinical skills. I absolutely loved my experience abroad and found that traveling through jungles and hiking mountains, jumping in cenotes and chasing avalanches, and exploring beautiful historical cities allowed me to expand my cultural lens, and even inspire me to pursue a minor in Spanish. I was able to grow really close with people I met on the trip, and will continue to go on adventures with my new friends in my time at UF.