Category: International Opportunities

This is the next in a series of posts by recipients of the 2018 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they’ve been spending their summer. You can read the entire series here.

This entry is by Raisa Rauf, COL ’19

Even now when I look at a world map, it astonishes me that I lived The Gambia. Sitting in class and learning about global health was one thing; it was a completely different platform experiencing it first hand.

From the moment I landed up until the minute I got on the return flight, I learned new things, ate different foods, delved into Gambian culture, made new friends and formulated memories that would last a lifetime.  I wore African dresses and learned to cook Gambian dishes (Benechin is my favorite!). I had the opportunity to learn about a culture that I might have never learned about. This experience opened my eyes to another world, a world that, although is different from mine, is also very similar. I feel so lucky to have this experience; it truly has shaped my identity and increased my cultural awareness. The world is becoming smaller with the aid of technology, and I believe it is the duty of a global citizen to learn about the cultures that make it up. This experience is a step forward toward fulfilling that duty.

Aside from the cultural experiences I had, this opportunity shaped my academic goals. Prior to going to The Gambia, I knew that I wanted to do something in global health, but I was unsure. What is it like? What are the challenges? What are those on the ground experiencing? How do clinicians in developing nations cope with limited resources? These are questions that I asked myself constantly, but regardless of the readings I would do, I always felt that I was missing something. But my time in Bwiam General Hospital answered my burning questions, and I finally knew, absolutely, what I wanted to do with my life: pursue medicine and provide medical care for those in need in developing nations. I knew this because I fell in love with the work. I marveled at the way procedures were conducted, awed by the doctor’s commitment to caring for patients 24/7, and inspired by watching how clinicians gave the best care with limited resources.

This opportunity has broadened my worldly experience, made me better equipped in engaging with global health scholars, exposed me to the challenges that third world nations face in regards to health care and strengthened my belief that the same solution cannot be applied everywhere (rather, it is extremely important to tailor solutions to the environment and society). And none of this would have been possible if I had not received funding. I have always believed that money should not hinder one from achieving their dreams, but I accepted this as a sad reality for myself; I certainly could not afford a plane ticket, and all the other costs of living. Hence, the funding I received was a game changer for me. It opened doors for me that would have otherwise remained shut for the rest of my life, and I cannot appreciate it enough. Thank you for blessing me with this opportunity.

This is the next in a series of posts by recipients of the 2018 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they’ve been spending their summer. You can read the entire series here.

This entry is by Jorge Pendao, COL ’19

As I waited for my early departure in May, I nervously anticipated what the following 10 weeks would look like. After my two previous summers consisted of volunteering positions in a variety of fields, I knew that I wanted to explore a field directly related to a career I’m interested in. After applying seven months beforehand in October 2017, I was finally embarking on my internship in the International Narcotics & Law Enforcement section at the US Embassy in Lima.

For the internship, I was excited to learn more about work at an American embassy and the duties of a foreign service officer. Working under the INL Program Officer, who manages INL’s justice programs, seemed like a perfect opportunity to learn first-hand the work being done in this field I am interested in. It was also additionally exciting to be able to spend my summer in Peru where I could learn that much more about South America and the regional geopolitics.

Within the first week, I knew that the following weeks would be much more than I anticipated. Though I was quite nervous this first week because of all the security measures and the weight of working in a government position, I was immediately intrigued with the work I was doing. Though the name gives the impression of focusing on narcotics affairs, I quickly realized there was so much more everyone worked on. Whether it was the growing issue of illegal gold mining in the Madre de Dios region or the public corruption scandals in the Ministry of Justice, the office was always busy which meant I was as well. I had the fortune of sitting in on meetings with high-level Peruvian officials and writing a report on national issues that would be sent to Washington. In addition to working with my supervisor who explained the content of his work and the dynamics of the embassy, I believe all of the experiences, all of the work and all of the people have deeply helped me secure my interest in this field.

With regards to how the Career Service grant impacted my summer experience, I believe that the funding most definitely improved the overall experience. From a logistical perspective, the funding lifted a significant financial burden that I would have had otherwise. Because the internship was unpaid and in a different country, I would have had to pay for my flight, housing and all of my food which would have significantly challenged my ability to participate. However, with help from the funding, I didn’t have to worry about this, and I was able to focus on the actual experience without stressing about financial concerns.

After finishing the internship and having some time to reflect, I realize how helpful the funding was in easing the process and allowing me to participate in this amazing opportunity and confidently determine my interest in this career path. This summer experience was one I will definitely remember and take into consideration in my future career path.