Greenwood Is: Confidence - Exploring Copenhagen with Rachel Fisman Guarascio ‘19

Rachel Fisman Guarascio ‘19 knew after Greenwood that she’d love to try a semester abroad during university if given the chance. 

While the Covid pandemic nearly squashed the dream, an opportunity arose in 2022 for the then-McMaster undergraduate student to do a term in Copenhagen – and she jumped at the chance.

“I absolutely fell in love with the city,” Rachel recalls. “When I finished my undergrad, I decided to come back for my Masters of Global Health here at University of Copenhagen.”

Landing in a new place where she barely knew anyone and didn’t speak the language was, of course, daunting. But Rachel was up for the challenge.

“That’s something Greenwood instilled in me,” she says. “I had confidence in my ability to walk into something new and different, and know I’d be capable. Outdoor Education contributed to that – two times a year I had the opportunity to push myself and try things.”

The Grade 11 sea kayaking trip in British Columbia stands out as a core memory of a “perfect trip.”

Now, Rachel recently submitted her Masters thesis in Global Health. She works part-time as an academic assistant at Plan International and volunteers at a harm reduction and health access organization. As for life after her studies, Rachel is not yet certain what’s next in store but is not daunted by the uncertainty.

“I was a keen student and Greenwood really fostered my curiosity and love of learning,” she says. “So I know one thing – I am going to take some time to focus on learning Danish.”