When people think of Alabama, a picture of a rural, conservative lifestyle normally comes into the imagination. This type of life is not like anything I had experienced before my undergraduate career at the University of Alabama–but that is exactly what had excited me the most about attending school there. To experience a culture different from my upbringing in Metro Detroit and get a new perspective.

Growing up, my parents taught me about various cultures different from our family’s. They wanted us, above all, to be accepting of others. When it came to living in Alabama, the most rewarding part of immersing myself in a culture full of shrimp farming, tractor driving, and off-roading is that I have a better appreciation for those who differ from me, and a respect for all perspectives.

However, while I did notice some changes in perspectives, I also noticed the great impact these perspectives have on population health.

During my year volunteering with Americorps, I fell witness to some things I never before noticed in society through working with the local family resource center. My volunteer position was at a rural elementary after-school program promoting the educational achievement of students and providing information on local resources for families.

Some specific projects I worked on were hosting food banks for the community members struggling with food insecurity and promoting child success through family engagement and access to resources.

Alabama ranks last in many statistics, public health being a majorly underachieving area, and witnessing the quality of life for many in the community made it very evident. This was what initially sparked my interest in focusing my career on public health communication and promotion.

Currently, I am a graduate student at Boston University School of Public Health, in the final year of my Master’s of Public Health program. My certificate is in Health Communication and Promotion with a context in human rights & social justice.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy volunteering, painting, and cooking (or at least trying to, my apartment fire alarm begs to differ). Having just moved to Boston, I am also currently spending a lot of my time exploring the city and all its interesting quirks and historical sites.

In the future I hope to work with policy efforts in the public health world, specifically working to improve the quality of life in historically marginalized groups. I am very excited to have the opportunity this fall to be an intern at the Mass General Research Institute and the opportunities and education that come with it!

But anyway, enough about me for now.

Roll Tide.