Living and Working on the Spice Isle: Preparing for Service Learning and Public Health Work in Grenada
Jada Jackson
1st Year MPH Health Behavior, Health Equity Student
In May, I will be traveling to Grenada to complete a service-learning project with the Grenada Red Cross Society (GRCS) through the Public Health Action Support Team (PHAST). In preparation for this trip, my classmates and I are completing the PUBHLTH 616 course to get a head start on our projects. During a 1-week trip to Grenada, we will all complete projects working with various non-profit organizations and government agencies to improve the health and wellbeing of the island-state of Grenada and its communities. After this week is over, my classmates will be on board to flights back to Ann Arbor while I stay behind in Grenada and begin my internship with the GRCS.
As part of my work with PUBHLTH 616 I will be acting as a Public Health Consultant, continuing the work of the previous cohort and helping to expand the non-remunerated blood supply program at the GRCS. During my internship, I will be spending 9 additional weeks working with the GRCS, assisting with the design of a more comprehensive emergency disaster management and response policy. While this trip will be an exciting way to end the semester and an invigorating start to the summer vacation, it brings on a host of additional thoughts and emotions.
This trip to Grenada will be my first time being abroad for longer than 4 days. This will also be my first time completing an international service project. Grenada will provide me with a plethora of new and exciting experiences. However, I am also nervous about navigating these experiences well and doing the Grenadian people justice with my work there.
I look forward to working with the Grenada Red Cross Society on these two projects and helping them build capacity to sustain these programs and policies on their own after my time there is over. I am also extremely excited to immerse myself in the island culture, try new cuisine, build meaningful relationships with the people in the community and admire the various historical sites and breathtaking scenery that Grenada has to offer.
I am entering into this new phase of my life with the intention of learning and appreciating another culture, conquering imposter syndrome, learning more about myself and my purpose in this world and making a positive impact on the lives of others.