Bailee Thomas (Class of 2022)
I received my B.A. in Anthropology from USA in 2022. Studying anthropology at 51茶馆 completely changed the way I see the world. It taught me to slow down, truly listen to people, and consider every perspective before jumping to conclusions. That mindset has shaped everything I do, from how I collaborate with others to how I solve problems and understand myself. Now, as a second-year medical student studying internationally at the Trinity School of Medicine, I see anthropology come to life every day. At my university, we rotate through the trauma hospital, assist in clinics on campus and in town, and help run mass casualty simulations that prepare us for real-world medical crises. We also volunteer within the community, providing care and education to those who need it most.
Anthropology gave me the tools to connect with people from all walks of life and to find meaning in the small details that others might overlook. It showed me that curiosity and empathy go hand in hand, and that understanding people, their stories, their values, and their environments is at the heart of almost every field. Learning medicine outside of my natural environment has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. Immersing myself in the culture of St. Vincent has taught me to approach each patient without assumptions, to recognize my own biases, and to see people as individuals rather than as stereotypes. It has made me more adaptable, more compassionate, and more aware of how culture shapes health and healing. Anthropology constantly reminds me that science and humanity are not separate concepts; they work best together. I鈥檓 proud to come from a department that pushed me to think critically, ask better questions, and see the beauty in human diversity. Anthropology didn鈥檛 just prepare me for a career, it shaped how I move through the world and how I care for the people in it.