How is it that four months can pass so quickly?? I still am not sure, but here we are at the end of our time in Chicago. I can already say I will miss it terribly, but I will for sure be back at some point. I have been thinking about it and would love to come back to the area for medical school or just to live in the future. We will see what the future holds, but it definitely would be something to consider.
The last couple weeks of classes have been really great. It has not been intense, we are mostly wrapping up loose ends and talking about final projects. As crazy as it is, these are my last assignments of my undergrad career! I have appreciated getting to explore more about what a vocation truly is and how to best discern mine. The art I have experienced this semester has been phenomenal and I have appreciated getting to see a sample what Chicago has to offer. I am grateful to my professors and all the ways they poured into us this semester.
I wrapped up at Innovative Express Care this week as well. It was certainly a bittersweet ending. I have enjoyed getting to know my coworkers and I will miss our time together. It’s a good thing we have social media! I am incredibly thankful for this experience and all it has taught me. It truly has confirmed my calling into the medical field, and I have learned skills and techniques I will continue to build upon in the future.
I was able to have a ton of fun these last couple of weeks as well. Although I did not cross everything off my bucket list, I did a lot! I guess that means I just have to come back to finish it sometime! I was able to be a part of the CS bike tour which spanned from Washington Park to Lincoln Park and over to the beautiful 606 trail. Altogether we biked 25 miles! Later that night I also went to dinner at a friend’s house in the medical district. We had Indian food for dinner from a Michelin Star restaurant and I got a beautiful view of the city!
My week consisted of making pizza with friends, making a Chick-Fil-A run, trying a new coffee place, and FaceTiming a few friends. I also had a few friends stop by last weekend and we had a great time! We went to Raising Caine’s chicken, a Cubs game, Eli’s Ark which is a gelato shop that makes gelato look like animals, Lincoln Park Zoo, the 606 again, the Starbucks Reserve, Jeni’s, church, and the Goddess and the Baker. It was so great to see my friends and try some things I had not done!
The last week was also a lot of fun, but bittersweet. I made last minute plans with friends so we could hang out one more time and avoided packing for as long as I could. On Tuesday there was a Chicago Semester celebration where we had Portillo’s for dinner, hung out, and reflected on the semester. We even got to see the Art on the Mart display! I will really miss having the city and all the adventures right in my backyard.
I want to thank Chicago Semester and all the amazing people who have helped to make this experience incredible. I appreciate the amazing staff who really wanted to get to know us and make our time here great. I have made so many new friends and tried all sorts of things while I was here. I learned skills and gained experience in my field and grew a ton. I am grateful for these last four months and everything I have learned.
I highly recommend this program to anyone interested because of the amazing hybrid experience. You get the experience of working, as well as connecting with professionals in your field of interest while also getting a taste of what it is like to live in the city. Not only do you learn about yourself, but you learn about all the different people you have the opportunity to live alongside of for a semester. It can be a challenge at times, but it is also so much fun and you get an experience unlike any other. If you are considering the Chicago Semester, go for it because why not!
For the last time, be blessed and a blessing!
Catch up on my semester from the beginning at https://aphelps1699.wixsite.com/thewordonthestreet