Member Monday - Jordan Reznik, Class of 2019

​As young aspiring dentists, we spend a lot of time in one place: 1919 7th Avenue South, to be exact. It’s a great place to learn and grow but it’s safe to say that almost every student at UAB SOD daydreams of traveling beyond the walls of PCD or the second floor clinic. Jordan Reznik, a D3 from Atlanta, Georgia, is one of those students. Traveling has always been a big part of his life and after talking to him, it is clear that there are ways to make time for traveling during dental school.

“Traveling has always been a part of my family life,” says Jordan. “Showing my sister and I that the world is a much bigger place than the city of Atlanta was important to my parents. For me, it’s always been the excitement of something new that has kept me traveling. Different cultures open your eyes to new foods, languages, and ways of life.”

Jordan Reznik traveling through Greece

​While no Birmingham native would deny the great food options we have here, it is always fun to try out the tastes and flavors of a new culture. When asked what Jordan’s favorite part of traveling is, he said “Definitely the food. The weirdest thing I’ve ever eaten was a fried scorpion in Beijing.” Not saying you have to try a scorpion any time soon, but it’s always a great idea to jump out of your comfort zone and try new foods you may not think you like.

Jordan has many great memories of trips with just his dad but he says his favorite memory of traveling was his study abroad trip to New Zealand and Australia. According to Jordan, “when you spend a couple of months in a country rather than a couple of days it changes everything.” Study abroad trips are becoming more and more popular for undergraduate students, especially for those who have a big interest in expanding their knowledge on an international level. Plus, it’s a great excuse to get out of the country and have a little fun!

Getting up close and personal with a baby elephant in Thailand!

The biggest question on every dental student’s mind is “how do you have the time and funds for traveling during dental school?” We do have breaks but they are few and far between and generally by the time they come around, the last thing on our minds is planning a big expensive trip when we could be getting a little R&R and catching up on Netflix. However, Jordan says that he tries to travel somewhere on every break he has, “whether it’s out of the country or just to a different city.” He also gave us some tips on how to not break the bank: “I’ve gone on missions trips before and group trips, which have sales all the times. Also, hostels are a great option. I was skeptical at first but a lot of the hostels I’ve stayed in have been really cool and are dirt cheap.”

​For those of you who want to travel more but always come up with an excuse not to go, here is what Jordan says: “Stop telling yourself why you can’t or shouldn’t go and just do it. If traveling is truly important to you, find a way to get out there and see the world.” Summer is coming, so get planning!

Author: Kelsey Gwin, Class of 2021

Enjoying the breathtaking views at Torres del Paine National Park in Chile