Bethany - Physical Therapy Student Ambassador

Hey! I’m Bethany, and I am a former Exercise Science major from the University of South Carolina—GO GAMECOCKS!! I was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina, a great little town about 2 ½ hours away.  Ever since I can remember, I have been very into sports.  From soccer and basketball to track and cross country, I was always training for some team or another year round. As you can imagine, I have had quite a few injuries, each of which fueled me to seek the help of a physical therapist. My interaction with my therapist planted the seed for my interest in the medical field. After the first semester of my sophomore year, I changed my major from nursing to early childhood education, but neither seemed like a good fit. After some searching, I decided to pursue physical therapy because it blends medicine and education. With my need for social interaction on a daily basis, matched with my desire to educate and help others, I realized this was the perfect profession for me.

The next dilemma: where to go for graduate school? I’m not going to lie, making the choice of which school to attend was difficult, but the more I think back on my decision, the more ecstatic I am that I chose the Medical University of South Carolina. Obviously, MUSC has some major perks in its location— just a short drive from the beach, amazing outlet malls, dining experiences, and outdoor activities. Still, I am most excited that I chose this University because of the educational experiences I have had thus far. MUSC really encourages interprofessionalism. I get the opportunity to work with students who are studying to be physician assistants and occupational therapists, which mimics the actual interactions that we will have in the future working on our own patients. Additionally, the professors are phenomenal. They are the best of the best, and they have no problem with setting aside their own time to help you master any concepts you are struggling with. Furthermore, they get to know you on a one-on-one basis, which helps with professional growth and confidence building that parallels academic gains. Here at MUSC, the focus isn’t just on providing the best education possible; the goal is to also provide guidance and interactions that provide well-rounded learning. What could be better than getting a great education, some quality experience, and meeting other interesting people?

If you need more motivation to come to the Medical University of South Carolina, think about the wonderful experiences you could have here. You could go shagging with your friends on the pier, do a little shopping at the Market downtown, or spend a relaxing day on the beach.  If you want to know more, don’t hesitate to ask; I would love to share more of my experiences with you! You can email me at chpambassador@musc.edu.