Liberal Arts Major(s): Psychology
Minor: Global Health, Biology
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA

What was the best part of your experience?

The ability to become immersed in Tanzanian culture, within our clinic and site visits and weekend excursions, was something that made my experience abroad unforgettable. Interacting with local people, learning their customs and language, eating their food, and seeing their lives up-close will stick with me forever. Although my time abroad was nontraditional in that I did not take normal classes, my time in the field taught me more about Global Health than any textbook or classroom lecture ever could.

It was enlightening to see the things that I have read about and learned in State College come to life halfway across the world

How did this experience impact you academically?

The Global Health fieldwork experience is a requirement for completing the minor because it allows application of the big global health issues that are discussed within the coursework. In health clinics, schools, and villages I was able to see global and public health topics come to life and hear first-hand accounts of these issues and their solutions from the health workers and community members who encounter them on the ground every day. It was enlightening to see the things that I have read about and learned in State College come to life halfway across the world. To be able to bring that new knowledge home with me is something that has enhanced my education that I will never forget.

How will this experience impact your career goals?

The time that I spent in Tanzania changed my outlook on life and plans for the future. Before, I planned on going straight into graduate school to start my career in the field of epidemiology in the worlds of research and academia. Now, I have an interest in expanding my personal experience and volunteering in the Peace Corps before continuing in my education; I have seen the benefits of hands-on engagement abroad and wish to gain more of that for myself before embarking in a career in public health work and advocacy.