Student Experiential Learning: Meet Max Lee

College of Health Junior Max Lee is currently soaking up Dutch culture and taking a deep dive into the Dutch health care system through his semester abroad program at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. A double major in both economics and population health, Lee is studying both subjects in Amsterdam. Classes next quarter revolve around how global health can be improved from a health care perspective. 

By studying abroad, Lee has had the opportunity to compare international health care systems. The American and Dutch systems, he said, “are not as different as you would think.” Outside of the classroom, he saw the Dutch health care system firsthand when helping a friend during a hospital visit. Having seen the French health care system last semester in a separate study abroad experience, he found their system to be wildly different. 

Lee’s experience in Amsterdam has been so positive that he is contemplating a return to Amsterdam following graduation and enrolling in graduate school. He is considering his career options, perhaps going into “the business side of healthcare – like M&A, investment banking, consulting. I’m torn between doing that and trying for more of an academic path, doing an economic analysis in healthcare.” 

“Studying abroad is a really awesome experience,” he said, recommending study abroad to other students. “I’m really glad I came. It’s so interesting to be able to go out and see not just the different cultures, but the infrastructure of different cultures.” 

Max’s study abroad program in Amsterdam has been supported by a College of Health study abroad grant.