Pre-Trip Contemplations-Graduating and Heading to Texas

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Ian Pshea-Smith

Grauduate with MPH in Global Health Epidemiology

Our trip to Texas is fast approaching, and it just so happens to coincide with a significant milestone in my life. About two weeks before heading to Texas, I’m graduating with my Master’s degree and will have finished my preparations to start my Ph.D. this fall. One part of my life is coming to an end, and one of the first steps in this new stage will be this trip to Texas.

I am eager to put all of my coursework and public health experience into practice again, especially now with an MPH after my name. Public health is a complex field - integrating all the complicated interactions between statistics, methodology and theoretical knowledge into public health programming is both challenging and rewarding. In particular, using methods such as qualitative approaches to public health challenges is particularly interesting to me, as I have spent most of my time and coursework focusing on quantitative and biological approaches. I am excited to explore qualitative methods again while in Texas!

 Graduating places many things at the forefront of my mind. This is a significant change in my life; now I can incorporate all my coursework and experiences into my future life, particularly this upcoming trip to Texas. I am excited to do so but also hesitant, as so much needs to be learned. This trip to Texas will be a great opportunity not only to help the community but also to highlight areas of growth and excellence in myself and in my companions.

Texas is fast approaching, and we are all going in with fresh perspectives and unique skill sets. I am excited, as someone who will be a new graduate, to place skills into action. I am looking forward to this trip and am eager to help out the communities we will support.

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