Stepping Into the Unknown: Preparing for My PH 616 Experience
Chetna Kumari
As I prepare for my PH 616 field experience in Grenada, I find myself standing in a space somewhere between excitement and uncertainty. It’s a moment that reminds me of why I chose public health in the first place. Before this experience, I want to pause and reflect on what I hope to experience, learn, and understand in the days ahead.
I’m most excited about the opportunity to step outside the classroom and engage directly with the community. I’m looking forward to observing how public health concepts take shape in real settings through conversations, partnerships, and being involved in the community. I’m eager to learn from people who understand their community better than any textbook or dataset ever could.
Through this experience, I hope to deepen my understanding of how social and structural factors influence health. I want to learn what effective community engagement looks like and observe how trust is built between organizations and residents. I also hope to strengthen my skills in listening, observing, communicating, and applying epidemiologic thinking in a community-centered way.
As with any new environment, I do feel some nervousness. I’m wondering how I will adapt, whether I’ll be able to communicate my perspective respectfully across differences, and how I will respond to situations that are new or challenging. However, I see these questions as part of the process as they remind me that growth often requires stepping outside comfort zones.
Therefore, I have few expectations for myself and this experience that I want to approach this experience with openness and humility. I hope to discover new insights about myself on how I handle new environments, how I work with others in different cultural settings, and how I evolve through unfamiliar situations. I want to stay flexible, observant, and reflective throughout the trip.
I expect that connections with the community will be one of the most impactful parts of this experience. I hope to engage with sincerity and curiosity, and to learn not just from formal activities but from the small everyday interactions as well. I also look forward to building stronger relationships with my fellow participants as group dynamics require patience, communication, and empathy, and I want to contribute positively to that environment.
However, I anticipate moments of uncertainty whether they’re related to cultural differences, logistics, or unexpected situations. My plan is to remain adaptable, ask thoughtful questions, and lean on my peers and leaders when needed. I try to approach new experiences with a mindset of learning rather than fear.
Also, through this experience I expect to broaden my worldview to understand how different communities navigate health challenges and resources helps deepen my understanding of public health. As I get ready to leave in a month, I feel grateful, hopeful, and curious, and excited to learn, grow, and step into Grenada with an open mind and a willingness to be changed by the experience.
