Katie Lynch – Spring 18
In what city or town did you grow up in?
Canton, Massachusetts.
Where are you currently living?
New York City.
What was your major?
Neural Science on the pre-health track.
Why did you choose to study away at NYU Sydney?
I chose to study at NYU Sydney because I loved Australian humor, and wanted to travel to parts of the world I had not yet seen. I think if I had gone to Europe, my experience would have had less of an emphasis on exploring natural parts of the world, and more on visiting touristy old places. It also had the proper classes that I needed to take to graduate on-time.
How would you describe your experience at NYU Sydney?
I absolutely loved my time at NYU Sydney. I’d describe it as an incredibly welcoming environment that encourages you to create your own adventure with the limited time you have. You don’t realize how quickly four months can go by until it’s suddenly May! I also learned a lot of time-management since I had to balance classes with my internship and traveling.
What was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class was Intro to Psychology- Professor Marsh had a great teaching style and I thought he did an incredible job making the class interesting and applicable. It was really cool for me to learn about psychology one day then intern in a psychiatry office right after.
Did you undertake an internship and what did you think of the experience?
I interned at CADE Clinic at the Royal North Shore Hospital, which was an academic psychiatry office studying lithium in treatment of bipolar disorder. I got to research the effects of lithium on suicidality and see the steps of a clinical trial initiation. The people I worked with were lovely and I co-authored on an article- it definitely was the academic highlight of my time in Sydney.
What was your favorite trip, excursion (Student Life or class related)?
My favorite excursion was going to an AFL game – Australian football is one of the coolest sports ever and I’m super into the Sydney Swans now. I still keep up with them from here!
Where are you currently working/studying?
I’m currently working in a neuroscience lab at NYU Langone and studying to take the MCAT soon.
When thinking about your experience at NYU Sydney what stands out to you most?
When thinking about my experience at NYU Sydney my internship is what sticks out to me the most, because it confirmed that what I am studying is important to me, and was a great way of meeting more Australians. It made the experience really unique and worthwhile for me, especially when comparing Australian healthcare to US healthcare. The staff also really stood out to me. Everyone I came in contact with really took the time to get to know the students and show us what Sydney had to offer.
How has your experience at NYU Sydney impacted life after college?
(I’m entering my senior year at NYU, but living in Sydney definitely gave me a sense of independence and helped me chill out in a way that I did not anticipate! The lifestyle in Sydney is definitely more relaxed than in New York, and that was exactly what I needed. I miss Sydney so much I’m even considering returning post-grad!).