Searching for Connection & Friendship: Reflecting on the PHAST Field Experience in the Mississippi Delta
Kandyce Keller
2nd Year MPH Student- Global Health Epidemiology
As I reflect on my experiences as a whole, one overarching theme continues to present itself in all the high and low moments that I experienced throughout our public health field experience in the Mississippi Delta.
“Connection, Friendship, Team”
First, I want to back up a few steps to explain the context for individuals who are reading this reflection in order to understand the true impact it has had on my final impressions of my college experience at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. I started graduate school in the Fall of 2020 during the COVID-19 global pandemic. I packed up my car days before the semester started and drove 1700 miles to a place I would call home for the next two years in Ann Arbor. My expectations of the program were very high and much of them were met through the rigorous coursework and the quality of instruction I received. However, one thing consistently haunted my thoughts and that was the lack of connection and relationship I felt to my university, classmates, and faculty members. I continued to be patient with myself and the university because I realized the world was going through tremendous struggles and emotions during this time. Nevertheless, I deeply wanted to find my people whether that be colleagues, friends, mentors, or even mentees. I was always searching for my place at the school of public health and for likeminded individuals who were authentic, passionate, and dedicated to creating change to make the world a better place for our communities across all domains.
Over the 7 weeks I spent with my peers before our departure to Mississippi in the Public Health in Action 615 course, I immediately noticed a difference in the vibes of our classroom dynamic. Even with these changes I still didn’t know what that would translate into when we entered the field. Over our seven day stay in Mississippi my classmates and I were able to develop new skills and competencies while also engaging with the local community members and stakeholders to evaluate two local food prescription programs. In addition, our team had the opportunity to learn about southern hospitality, culture, historical heritage, local cuisine, the blues, health disparities, and economic inequities within in the Mississippi Delta. Most importantly, we experienced these moments as a team composed of students, faculty, and staff from the University of Michigan and the University of Mississippi connecting with each other and working together to carry out the goals of the project.
It only took seven days to knock down the barriers the pandemic created on my ability to connect with my peers and our team leads. As I sit here writing this reflection, my public health cup feels full for the first time in two years. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and to have the time and space to learn, work, connect, talk, laugh, play, explore, reflect and experience all the greatness of the Mississippi Delta with this team.