What have you been up to this summer?
I’m a Global Health Fellow through the Sanford School of Public Policy. The program allows us to do an internship in Geneva, Switzerland related to Global Health and also lets us study Health Policy in a five-day intensive course.
What was your process for planning your summer like?
It was very simple. Duke programs do a great job of handling the difficult logistics and are more than willing to help clarify questions as they relate to travel, funding, and scheduling. I initially applied to the program and then awaited an acceptance.
What’s been your most memorable experience so far?
I had the pleasure of meeting former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. He was debuting his book “We The Peoples” and he was nice enough to sign my copy.
What are you still looking forward to?
I have a unique opportunity to work with the Global Red Ribbon Award winners. I’ve been in contact for a few weeks with them but I am excited by the prospects of learning more about what they did to get a UN sponsored award. The Red Ribbon Award recognizes the work of 10 NGO’s who work at the community-based level to prevent HIV transmission amongst vulnerable populations.
What’s been your biggest challenge so far?
Geneva has actually been rated the world’s most expensive city. Combating this factor with a limited budget makes for some unique meal dishes and strategic travel. Overall, it has taught me how to manage money well and how to network with local Geneva residents to make the most out of the exchange rates and high prices.
See the original interview on the Duke Undergraduate Admissions Blog.
