Taking Side Quests to Another Level
Nikita Rohila
About me
I’m Nikita Rohila, a first-year Master of Public Health student in the Health Management and Policy department. I’m super excited to be a part of this year’s project working with Grenada’s Ministry of Social Development, Community Development, Housing and Gender Affairs to support health policies that improve accessibility and social inclusion of persons with disabilities in the country.
Looking forward to the next few months
One of the biggest takeaways I hope to achieve while working on this project is to develop insights into the world around me and learn about how other countries implement public health practices. I believe there is so much to learn from other cultures and regions, and I am grateful for this opportunity to immerse myself within the ministry of a new community. While I learn and grow in this aspect, I aspire to bring knowledge from my MPH program to provide impactful suggestions informed by interviews with community members.
Finding community
Growing up, I’ve lived in several states, and finding new community and adapting to new environments is something I love. Being abroad, there will be some cultural differences, but my previous study abroad experiences have taught me to go in with an open mind and curiosity. When working on our project, I recognize that the community already knows what it needs. It’s my responsibility to listen to their stories, understand their needs, and identify how policy implementation can become more efficient. I find it important that the community trusts our team, so they feel comfortable sharing their experiences and needs. Additionally, to help build this trust, I will be reminding myself throughout the program to be intentional and recognize how bias can influence my thinking. By the end of my internship, I hope to have developed fruitful relationships and immerse myself in Grenada’s culture, leaving a lasting impact on my personal and academic growth.
Reflections from an incoming health policy professional
I am a photojournalist, and my excitement for storytelling was one of my key reasons for entering public health. Humans are natural storytellers, and these stories often provide us with greater depth and knowledge about what is happening around us, even beyond what statistical data points can reveal. It provides key insights into what areas we should focus on, why things are happening, why one population is more susceptible to a health situation compared to another, and more. I am passionate about how stories can shape health policies. As I develop into a health policy leader, understanding and gaining experience in global perspectives will inform me about not only what we can learn from other communities but also how countries can develop relationships with each other when it comes to public health.
