Sammie Westfahl shares what it was like to step into Aerie Backcountry Medicine’s Fall Semester Program, an immersive wilderness medicine semester that blends EMT training, rescue skills, wildland fire readiness, and a month in India trekking and community stays in the Himalaya.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- What Aerie’s Fall Semester includes, from Montana to India
- Why a WEMT is a powerful “toe-dip” into medicine for gap year and college students
- The difference between EMT and wilderness EMT thinking, especially when you are far from definitive care
- How scenario-based training builds communication, leadership, and calm under pressure
- What surprised Sammie most about community and hospitality in the Himalaya
- Advice for students: how to explore interests in high school and stay open to changing your mind
- Why your early 20s can be a great window for adventure before life locks in
Resources and Links Mentioned
- Aerie Backcountry Medicine (semester + courses)
- University of Montana (credit-bearing partnership mentioned in the episode)
- National Registry of EMTs (NREMT)
Connect with Us
You can find Gap Year Radio on Instagram @gapyearradio
Have a question for the show? Email gapyearradio@gmail.com.
Want help planning your gap year? Learn more at enroutegapyear.com and schedule a free brainstorming conversation.