Fulbright Scholar takes aim at sustainable food systems in Indonesia

Lala Fadila, MPH ’24

Nutritional Sciences

April 26, 2024

Lala Sri Fadila, MPH ’24, grew up on the Indonesian island of Bangka in an environment where quality education opportunities were unevenly distributed. With her parents’ support and considerable self-motivation, however, she not only pursued higher education but also mastered English through self-instruction—a skill she initially honed through video games as a child.

Now, she will graduate in May from the University of Michigan School of Public Health with a Master of Public Health in Nutritional Sciences.

“I'm grateful for the privilege that my parents provided for me, so I was able to look for additional knowledge and skills myself beyond what was taught in school, particularly the most important one that has helped me get to this point, English,” she said. “I taught myself English when I was in elementary school.

“I played a lot of video games with my siblings when I was a kid. We had a PlayStation, and all the games were in English, so that was my initial experience learning English by myself.”

This spirit of self-improvement led her to an undergraduate degree in Nutrition Science at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia. There, she cultivated an interest in public health, identifying the need for initiatives focused on prevention rather than solely on treatment.

Fulbright Scholarship and choosing Michigan Public Health

In 2021, as one of the 19 Indonesians selected for the prestigious Fulbright Foreign Student program out of thousands of applicants, Fadila began her journey to the University of Michigan School of Public Health. The scholarship recognized her potential impact in public health, providing full tuition, a stipend and fostering an extensive professional network with like-minded scholars.

“The Fulbright has been more than a scholarship; it is a community that allows exchange of ideas and experiences across the globe,” said Fadila, reflecting on the many connections she has forged with other Fulbright Scholars in Ann Arbor and beyond.

Inspired by the Singapore Indonesia Youth Leaders exchange program she participated in 2019 that focused on climate change, Fadila sought a graduate program compatible with her growing interest in the intersection of nutrition, public health and environmental sustainability.

It came down to Michigan and the University of Washington, and she preferred Michigan Public Health because of its robust program and Nutritional Sciences’ focus on sustainable food systems—a critical area of study aligning with her passion and Indonesia’s pressing environmental concerns. She also considered the appeal of Ann Arbor, mirroring the close-knit community she cherished back home on Bangka Island.

“I was looking for a city not too big and crowded and Ann Arbor just felt right—perfect to live in and study,” said Fadila, who, in addition to the Fulbright Scholarship, is supported by the Maxine Moore Forsyth Scholarship.

Supportive environment and professional growth

“The most compelling reason why I chose Nutritional Sciences is because of the flexibility in the curriculum. It allowed me to spend credits on subjects I never explored before, which is vital for my professional growth.

“I took a lot of elective classes outside of the School of Public Health. For example, I took sustainable food system classes in SEAS (the School for Environment and Sustainability), and I currently take a climate and development class in SEAS as well. Learning more about nutrition, now in English, also is an important skill for me.”

She also is thankful for the support she received from the academic staff at Michigan Public Health, specifically Andy Jones, her academic adviser, and Carole Durgy, program coordinator for Nutritional Sciences.

“They’ve been incredibly supportive throughout my entire journey, assisting me, answering questions and guiding my transition to the United States,” Fadila said.

Besides nutrition, she also found health promotion and education to be necessary points of focus.

“I am passionate about empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their health and well-being,” Fadila said. “I think that it is important for us, as public health professionals, to provide the education and promotion of those efforts. We have the opportunity not only to raise awareness about health issues but also to inspire behavioral change.

“I'm particularly interested in understanding the factors that influence health behaviors and how we can effectively translate what we know about health and nutrition into actionable steps for individuals and communities.”

She gained valuable experience in 2023 as a This Is Public Health (TIPH) ambassador with the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), helping to raise awareness about the field of public health by leading virtual events, taking over the TIPH (This is Public Health) social media accounts, and assisting with projects to grow interest in public health education and careers. She earned this position after serving as an Michigan Public Health admissions ambassador for a year and being one of two students nominated by the school.

Fadila also worked as a nutrition program assistant with Michigan Dining, assisting the nutrition specialist in analyzing and auditing recipes and ingredients based on their nutritional value, allergens, mHealthy and carbon emission traits.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with her professional interest in public health, cementing her decision to delve deeper into the subject.

“The pandemic changed our lives but also highlighted how crucial public health is,” said Fadila, whose experiences during this pivotal moment fueled her desire to broaden her knowledge and play a more active role in health education and prevention.

Empathy and looking ahead

Fadila views empathy as a cornerstone of effective public health strategy. Her education at Michigan Public Health has reinforced the importance of understanding diverse perspectives to tailor health initiatives that resonate with various communities.

“We are trained at the school to possess a unique blend of skills, knowledge and compassion,” she said. “For example, as a nutrition student, I learned about epidemiology and statistics, subjects that will enable me to excel as a public health professional. Also, I think the most important skill that every public health professional should have is empathy. I realized during the COVID-19 pandemic that empathy will allow public health professionals to understand and appreciate diverse perspectives of individuals and communities.

“By considering unique circumstances individuals and communities face, we can plan a strategy or initiatives to be more effective and culturally relevant. Empathy was also emphasized here at Michigan Public Health.”

After graduation, Fadila’s plans to return to Indonesia to fulfill her Fulbright scholarship’s requirement. She aims to apply her newly honed expertise in community health education to promote sustainable diets.

“In the next few years, I hope to involve myself in community-based projects that focus on sustainable food systems in Indonesia,” said Fadila, whose long-term plan also could include pursuing a PhD to further her exploration of how to effect positive nutritional behaviors through educational campaigns.

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