Kit Neacy
Always up for an adventure, when Kit Neacy had the opportunity to study in Vienna, she jumped on it. Recalling the “old world charm” that was so different from southern California where she grew up, Kit took advantage of every chance she had to travel throughout Europe. But every weekend she was in Vienna she spent at the Spanish Riding School, mesmerized by the artistic and historic style of riding so different from what she was accustomed to. Going on to become a periodontist while giving in to her passion for polo, Kit continued to travel the world in pursuit of adventures that incorporated her life’s work and her passion for horse riding. Having been to every continent, and well over one hundred countries, Kit learned to always say “yes” to a new opportunity to explore. An avid traveler, she only takes a carry-on with her anywhere in the world she goes, a lesson in traveling light that she learned during her semester in Vienna.
IES Abroad: As a student at University of Southern California, what led you to study abroad in Vienna?
Kit Neacy: A number of my friends were international relations majors. I did a lot of things with that group, and there was chatter on campus about studying abroad. I knew others who had done the year in Vienna. Since I had already finished my pre-requisites for dental hygiene, I figured I ought to go. There was a group of at least 25 students from USC. We got on the Maasdam and took it across the ocean for ten days. It was the probably the smallest ship there could have been for that kind of voyage. It was about as far from the types of luxury yachts that make that type of journey today. It was full of students who ran wild for ten days. I remember we hit three days of gales. That in itself was a great adventure. Then, landing in France before making our way across Europe to Vienna – that was another adventure.
IES Abroad: What are some of your favorite memories from your time in Vienna?
KN: The biggest impact for me coming from Southern California was being in Vienna and experiencing its old world charm – the wonderful things to see, all the music to hear, and all the great food. It was a whole new world. Then, there was living at 2 Rembrandtstrasse with a family in the former Soviet corridor. That area still had not recovered from Soviet occupation. I also remember standing in line all night to get tickets to hear Birgitt Nielsen sing Wagner, and then falling asleep during the second act.
When it got to be spring time, a friend and I would go out horseback riding in the Prater. And every Sunday I was in Vienna, I went to see the Spanish Riding School and got stehplätze (standing room only) tickets, of course. That was one of the biggest highlights. It was a whole different riding experience for me to see. It was not the world I had grown up in. I had grown up with horses and started riding around six years old, but this was different. The sheer beauty and the artistry was mesmerizing. And that wonderful old riding hall. I couldn’t get enough of it. A lot of weekends, we would take off for other parts of Europe, but when I was there in Vienna, I was always at the Riding School.
IES Abroad: What were the most formative experiences or classes you took while studying abroad?
KN: The art history class that I took had the biggest impact on me. Every week, our professor would bring us to the Kunsthistorisches (Art History) Museum, and we would have lectures there right in front of the amazing art. It blew me away.
I also remember taking a class from Dr. Ernst Florian Winter. He invited the entire class out to his schloss (château) for the entire weekend. He would lecture while we were there, and we stayed at his home in the countryside for the weekend. He was married to Johanna von Trapp, one of the daughters of the famous Baron Georg Ludwig von Trapp, the family after which The Sound of Music was made. It was just a marvelous country weekend.
It was also the time when they were filming The Sound of Music in and around Salzburg. One Friday night, we hitchhiked over to Salzburg because I had friends from school there. Needless to say, it was where and when I got hooked on The Sound of Music. It is my favorite movie!
IES Abroad: You have had a remarkable career as a periodontist. How did you become interested in this field?
KN: I started off at USC when I was an undergrad. I was a biology major. All these smart girls were going into dental hygiene, so that is what I decided to do. After graduating, I worked for a couple of years and then I decided to return to dental school. I figured I was just as smart as the dentists I was working for, so why not? There were 120 students in our class but only four women. Now, the dental school classes are at least half women. After I graduated from dental school, I worked as a general dentist for a few years before I went to UCLA and specialized in periodontics. I finally quit school when I was in my thirties. I think I made the right choice! I practiced for 30 years. I taught part-time and dabbled in dental politics. Now, I am in another phase of my career working as a consultant for several insurance companies. I meet people from all different cultures, and I get to see how they practice dentistry.
IES Abroad: Were there lessons learned in Vienna that have remained vital throughout your life?
KN: When someone gives you the idea to do something, and you get an opportunity to do it, you say “yes!” This independence I learned in Vienna was important. You can get things done. You don’t have to ponder on things too long, just do it. After I graduated, I wanted to go to the Far East, and my parents said, “No.” They said I had a job to do – “go out and work!” Well, I didn’t like that answer, so I went down to the local bank and asked for and got a loan for $1,200 because I wanted to go to the Far East. I went and had a wonderful experience. That was in 1966. I’m pretty sure the banks don’t do that nowadays! We went to Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur. It was eye opening. I still have that in me – that sense of adventure. I’ve probably been to well over one hundred countries. (I’ve never actually counted, but I should someday!) I have been on every continent. I went to Antarctica a few years ago. I am a good traveler and a good travel companion, no stress. I learned to bring just one carry-on bag with me anywhere I go in the world. I learned that, to travel light, in Vienna.
IES Abroad: You’ve gone on several service tours performing dentistry in underserved regions throughout the world. What are some international dentistry adventures that standout?
KN: I’ve done dentistry in Guatemala and other places. Guatemala was my first venture. I go to Guatemala with an organization called Faith in Practice to provide healthcare every year. This group provides one-third of the public health for the entire country. I started going over ten years ago, and it has become part of my routine. We go out way out into the countryside where people don’t have access to care. All we can really do is pull teeth, and there are more people than we can ever see. It is a whole team of maybe 30 of us including physicians, dentists, and translators. It’s an adventure. One year, we were stopped by protesters with machetes, but in the end, one of the protesters recognized a team member and let our bus go through.
I’ve also done a few tours with the U.S. Navy (USNS). There was one on the USNS Comfort in Nicaragua. One of my high school friends lived in Chinandega, and that’s where we went and did our dentistry. I got to fly from Chinandega to Managua in a Black Hawk with the doors open. That’s better than a roller coaster ride! I did Timor Leste and got helicoptered up into mountains and dropped for a week at a school, and we did our dentistry. I’ve also gone to Rwanda to teach dentistry.
IES Abroad: In addition to your work as a periodontist, you are an avid horsewoman and competitive polo player. Tell us about these interests and your recent horseback safari to Botswana.
KN: I have been playing polo for over 30 years. I could hit a tennis ball and I could ride a horse and I liked to compete, so I said I could do this [play polo]. It got to be more than a hobby. It is a passion. It’s basically a nomadic tribe of people, people from all over the world. I might be the oldest woman in the country playing (maybe not the world, though), and I have played some of the best women in the business – Sunny Hale, Caroline Anier, Kate Weber. Kate is also an IES Abroad Vienna, Fall 1984 alumna. I keep my horses at her ranch. She is a fabulous horsewoman!
My recent trip to Botswana was one of life’s great experiences. I went to Okavango Delta in Botswana for this safari where there are lots of animals. I was there for a week, staying in tents, though really we were “glamping” (glamorous camping). I rode 40 hours that week on horseback, going on both morning and evening rides, and there were two standout experiences. One afternoon, we were riding and came across a family of lions and the babies scattered off, and our guide’s horse reared and fell over backwards on him. He was able to hold onto the reigns and grab his rifle. The mama lion started to charge us, and our guide, Bongwe, shouted, “Don’t move!” We froze. Mama came close, within 100 yards, then decided we weren’t interesting and left. Then the next afternoon, we were out riding and all of the sudden a bull elephant charged us. At that point, Bongwe yelled, “’Run!” and we ran like hell as far and as fast as we could. Bongwe, he was an amazing rider and guide who knew everything about the animals. So, what I learned: when an elephant charges you, run like hell; when a lion attacks, don’t move.
IES Abroad: What advice do you have for students who are considering studying or interning abroad?
KN: You have to just go for it. If the opportunity is there, it’s an adventure. Go, do, see – and only take a carry on. Several years ago, a patient of mine was getting married in Kerala, and I was invited to the wedding. Of course, I said yes and went to India for four of the most amazing days. When Notre Dame played Navy in football in Dublin, of course, I went and wore my USC cap. Always say “yes” to a new experience!