From Uncertainty to Action: Preparing For My First Global Health Experience
Ishita Shukla
2nd Year MPH Epidemiology Student
Public health is facing an unprecedented level of uncertainty right now. I feel it
in every
conversation with classmates, faculty, and staff members. What are our job prospects
going to
look like post-graduation? Will society truly value public health again? How are we
going to
survive the current job market? How do we navigate this shifting landscape and adapt
our
careers to meet the moment?
However, even in the midst of many ongoing attacks on public health I am honored to
have the
opportunity to travel to Grenada for my first ever global health opportunity. I have
always been
interested in global health work and gaining the skills to engage in meaningful and
sustainable
global partnerships. Until now, COVID-19 had kept me from pursuing these opportunities—but
not anymore! I was so ecstatic to learn that PHAST participates in international work.
Learning about Grenada and its culture, values, and people has been really intriguing.
As the
child of Indian immigrants, I see deep parallels between the Caribbean and India,
particularly in
the emphasis on collectivism and community. It has also been inspiring to learn about
Grenada’s Independence.
This fall, I’ll be starting medical school, driven by a passion for working at the
intersection of
public health and medicine. Health accessibility is central to my mission, which is
why I’m so
excited to collaborate with the Grenada Red Cross Society on the blood donation system
project. Before diving into developing a logic model with my team, I want to fully
understand the
community’s needs and vision for this initiative. Strengthening the blood donation
system is a
crucial step toward increasing access to healthcare.
While the future of public health remains uncertain, experiences like this remind
me why I chose
this path and why I’ll continue to fight for a world where healthcare is accessible
to all.