A New Perspective on Life

I had a life-altering experience the other day, the kind of experience that would make a religious fanatic out of a non-believer. Who would have thought that I would gain a further appreciation for my university at - guess where? - the Nigerian Consulate in New York!

I know it sounds weird -  I thought it was bizarre, too - but sometimes you just have to take your blessings wherever and whenever they come.

So, here's the story: I needed to make an emergency trip to Nigeria and unfortunately had difficulty figuring out how to get a visa. The embassy was closed four out of the past ten business days, and, of course, I couldn't get anyone to answer the phone on the other end. Despite a busy schedule, I had no choice but to make the trek to NY to deal with the visa situation myself.

Luckily, a friend of mine (former HSPH alum) needed to go to the embassy as well. So together, at three pm in the afternoon, we made the $15 four-and-a-half hour trip on the Fung-Wah bus from Boston Chinatown to NY Chinatown. In an attempt to make this trip a little less horrible, I spent the night with one of my best friends from high school.

The next morning, I headed off to the embassy bright and early. I was aiming to get there by 10 am (when the doors opened), and by 10:15 am when I arrived, I was already late! All of the "customer numbers" were gone, the little room was stuffed with far too many people, and I honestly felt like I left the U.S. and entered a congested African country. I pushed my way back-and-forth, making small talk and commiserating with the others around me. Luckily, this new-found comradeship got me moved to the 27th slot.

When it was finally my turn at the counter, it was one problem after another after another! First, I printed the "payment proof of payment" instead of the "payment confirmation" sheet. (Apparently, this made a difference). Then, despite that I spent a week having a letter of invitation scanned and sent over from Nigeria to show that I had someone on the other side, I was told to get a new letter of someone who had a Nigerian passport to accompany it. The time slowly changed from 10:30 am to 11:30 am and then to 12:30 pm, at which point I was frantic! There was only 30 more minutes to get my application submitted.

When I finally satisfied all the requirements, the lady told me I should come back another day. I tried to explain that I was a student and that I really couldn't miss anymore school. I was traveling in just four days and REALLY needed this visa ASAP. She was not receptive, I was emotional, and I wasn't getting anywhere. I calmed down and tried to reason with her again, but for the second time, my efforts were proving fruitless.

Then, something magical happened; my prayers were answered! The woman had given me a piece of paper with scribbles on it, and I went back to her to ask what it meant. Somehow, she was much friendlier and chattier (10 minutes really does make a difference!), and I started sharing with her more about the situation. Yes, I understood and respected her job. And yes, I understood that it was nothing personal. But I made the trip all the way from Boston, where I attended Harvard University - and that did it! My friend said that the look in her eyes changed, that I'd struck some kind of a chord with her. She said that she would check with her superior and see what could be done. I had a glimpse of what God - and, oh yes, Harvard - could really do for me in the real world.

The remainder of the day was eventful. My friend and I did some sightseeing visiting the UN Visitors Center for the first time. We met some diplomats from Guinea-Bissau, and I found out that I still have a couple of French words in me! We returned to the embassy that afternoon, and low and behold, two-and-a-half hours later, I emerged with - you guessed it - a Nigerian visa! I honestly can't remember the last time I was that happy (kind of sad, right?).

So, with my new visa (and my friend's passport) in hand, we strolled to the nearest bar for a victory drink. We then headed back to Chinatown where we caught the first bus to Boston. The experience not only strengthened my faith (believe me, if you had one last chance to get this important piece of paper, it would have been a life-changing experience for you too). Moreover, it really gave me a glimpse of the power that Hahvahd can have. I may not always feel like I'm learning what I want to, and more often than not I may miss the light at the end of the tunnel, but at the end of the day, my $40,000 tuition is going towards something, and I really can't complain!

I'll be off for the week due to family business, but Happy Turkey Day to those celebrating. I'll be sure to share about the Harvard-Yale game when I return!!

The UN Complex...future home to me (I hope!)

Victory drinks!!

Waiting for the China bus in Chinatown. 

Bis Bald!
(see you soon in German)

Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.

-From, English Poet Samuel Johnson

Holiday Time in Boston

Today is Hunter's Safety Day!! Haven't heard of it? Neither have most of my colleagues. Growing up in a small community in the Midwestern state of Michigan, hunting is not just a past time but a celebrated way of life for many there. Consequently, on the first day of hunting season, they cancel school for "safety" reasons (and because so many people - including teachers - would be absent anyway). After speaking to one of my younger brother's this morning, who was enjoying a holiday in the middle of the school year, I wished that today was a holiday for me too! But then I realized that here at Harvard, we celebrate a lot of holidays and get plenty of time off of school. Over the last few days, I've felt like I've been on holiday for the week! Let me explain...

Last Thursday was Veteran's Day, a day that truly is worthy of reflecting on the efforts that several have put forth the well-being of this nation. Since my professors and supervisors informed me that we would be observing the holiday, I had the whole day to myself! I started celebrating Wednesday evening with a girls' outing to see Tyler Perry's new movie: For Colored Girls. It was a powerful, sobering film that reminded me that despite that things haven't been going my way lately, it could always be so much worse.

I spent Thursday in retail therapy at Downtown Crossing, one of Boston's hidden gems. I spent some quality time (and money) in Macy's and DSW, and enjoyed actually having a day completely to myself. http://www.downtowncrossing.org/

My Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were very eventful days but somehow, they had the feeling of a "holiday." I spent Friday at my Research Assistant job from 10 am until 3:30 pm. I, then, had Biostatistics lab from 3:30 - 5:30 pm. (These are two stories for another time)...I went to a friend's place on Friday evening and enjoyed an early Thanksgiving meal with 15 friends in the area.

On Saturday, I spent all day at the Harvard Graduate Council's First Annual Student Leadership Conference. It was a great event that brought student leaders from all 12 of Harvard's graduate schools together in one place. I listened to Marshall Ganz talk about using "public narrative" as an effective form of motivating action; I engaged in a vibrant discussion about social justice and inspiring others to commit to a cause; and I really had the opportunity to reflect on the bigger picture behind why I am interested in global health. http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/11/15/graduate--students-conference-leadership/

Perhaps the highlight of my weekend was this Sunday. After spending several hours cleaning and doing laundry, I decided to make the trek to Cambridge once more this weekend to here the infamous Rachel Maddow speak. She was selected as the Theodore H.White lecturer to talk about the intersection between press and politics. Rachel was an excellent speaker; she was intelligent, witty, and very funny. And in everything she said, there was clearly a thoughtful argument to accompany it. She articulated that she believed that the politics doesn't hurt the press but that the press can hurt politics and that the changing from "old media" to "new media" isn't bad, it's just new. She identified that she is not an activist, nor would she ever run for office; she stopped being an active player in politics when she entered the realm of media.

What inspired me the most was realizing that at some point, Rachel was in the same place I am now. Mind you, she was a Rhodes Scholar and I was only a finalist; she went to Oxford and I'm at Harvard; she's clearly "made it" and I'm trying to "make it out alive"...but details aside - she started small just like everyone else. She had committed her life to activism, and she ended up going a different route. She doesn't posit whether one is better than the other; she just acknowledges that they are different.

Timothy McCarthy (my professor and a panelist on the social justice panel) made a statement on Saturday that really struck a chord. He said that we are privileged to have the choices we have; we are privileged to experience "burnout" and to choose a different path because not everyone has that luxury. So to any of you considering Harvard, considering future options, trying to decide "what's next" but feeling like you're just not there yet, remember, we are privileged!!

 Until Next Time...

Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility.

 -From U.S. Talk Show Host and Icon Oprah Winfrey

These are a few of my favorite things...

This past Friday, I got to participate in one my favorite HSPH activities: MusicFest! The event is exactly what it sounds like - and opportunity for HSPH students and staff to display musical talents that they never get to use! I participated last Spring and loved it! So, this year, I joined a few classmates and we formed a little "band." As one of the vocalists, I sang a mellow rendition of "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy and "Airplanes" by B.O.B. and Hayley Williams. We also did Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" (though we HSPH-ified it). 

Part of the reason that I love MusicFest so much is that it gives me the opportunity to do something that I never get to do anymore. When I was in high school, I also had these dreams of being a Broadway star! I would participate in choir, drama, piano, vocal solos, and I was pretty decent (if I say so myself :) ). And then, life happened and I decided that my calling was in global health policy...So fast-forward six years to now! MusicFest allows me to share a passion that I rarely use anymore in a supportive, low-key (and open-bar) environment. I even tried something that I've never done before - I played the piano and sang a solo to Whitney Houston's "I Look to You." My performances were far from perfect, and truthfully, I haven't properly exercised my voice in years, but it was wonderful to take a risk in an environment where I know my friends will love me no matter what!

My group performs!

Other performers

 

(Pictures compliments of Mark Shrime and Jen Stuart)

(Videos hopefully coming soon!)

Tutaonana baadaye! (until we meet again in Swahili)

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
-From French poet, playwright, and novelist Victor Hugo

It's the Little Things...

This past Tuesday marked midterm elections here in the U.S. I was a little depressed as I watched the results come in last night, particularly as I thought about where America stood just two years ago.Unfortunately, I wasn't able to vote. It's a long story - and I won't try to create excuses - but upon reflection, I feel ashamed that I didn't make the extra effort to ensure that I was a voice for the betterment of this nation. Sometimes, I think that people at HSPH (and any health/medical field that's not policy-focused) forget the importance remaining engaged in politics. The lies, deceit, and negativity can become overwhelming. But the truth is, changes in our political make-up will have huge implications for areas like healthcare, government spending, job creation, poverty...all of which are our problems. 

I think politics focuses on the big picture (which is, of course, incredibly important). But, a classmate and friend of mine reminded me that the little things, those random acts of kindness, make a really big difference, too. She gave a speech which I found to be so incredibly moving about how she went to Guatemala hoping to change the world. She returned to the U.S. one year later, feeling discouraged and defeated. A friend reminded her, however, that you can make a difference in the world, one little act of kindness at a time. Her speech was a powerful reminder of the importance of a commitment to service, which is a focus that HSPH really lacked last year.


In a similar class I'm taking, I've had the opportunity to reflect on my values, passions, and goals. I gave my own speech about how my grandfather and my mother have been inspirations to me in using higher education for the good of public service. The fact is that several of us were admitted to HSPH based on the platform of a commitment to service; it is our choice to uphold that.


The courses that my friend and I took -  Marshal Gantz's Public Narrative course and Timothy McCarthy's Art of Communications course - are not HSPH courses. In fact, we both felt that there was too little emphasis on practical skills such as communication at HSPH. But the beauty of our curriculum is that we're allowed to take courses at other Harvard schools, so we both chose two of the most popular courses at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

I can say without a doubt that the course I am taking is one of the best and most inspiring courses I have ever taken. Professor McCarthy doesn't just want us to give speeches and improve our ability to communicate; instead, he wants us to really search within ourselves for why we have the interests and passions that we do and use that understanding to convey and call others to action. Professor McCarthy is an absolutely amazing professor whose course has really changed my life! I know it sounds so cliche, but it's really true. His course has done a few things for me that I really needed at this point of my academic career:

1. This course reaffirmed my commitment to investigating cultural competency in global health policy. I'm much more confident in my future aspirations to pursue doctoral studies in this area (although I know that I need to do more research on what institution would be the best fit for me). 
2. This course reminded me why I became interested in public health and where my passions lie. In high school, I believed that I was going to try to make it big on Broadway! I really had a passion for musical theater and believed that someway, somehow, that would be my destiny. But in 2003, my mom had a Fulbright Fellowship to teach and conduct research in the southern African country of Namibia, so I ended up spending a year in international school. Among my experiences there included a one year volunteer term with the Roman Catholic AIDS Center, where I became moved by the AIDS orphans I worked with. The little bit that I was able to do in regards to creative expression and empowerment inspired me to pursue International Relations, which then translated into global health policy, which brings us to today. 

One thing I have really struggled with while at HSPH is having direction.  I came in with a very clear idea of my interests and future trajectory; I was interested in HIV/AIDS policy. But upon arriving, I realized that much attention has shifted from HIV/AIDS to chronic diseases, and much existing research at HSPH is biomedical or economic analysis (neither of which are my preferred approaches to the issue). I began pursuing other paths - Maternal and Child Health, Human Rights, Monitoring and Evaluation - and these have all provided interesting learning experiences. However, Professor McCarthy's course has really allowed me to realize that I am very interested in children in adverse settings - whether as a result of HIV/AIDS or conflict in sub-Saharan Africa. I feel much more confident in expressing my passions, even if several of my professors and the status quo try to tell me that my own interests are no longer relevant or as important. I'm much more mentally prepared now (as compared to this time last year) to be able to apply the lessons I've learned from other experiences to issues that are important to me! I guess that's what this process is all about.

Hasta lavista! 

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

-From African-American Poet Maya Angelou

The Beginning of the End...

Today marks the first day of the second week of the new Fall 2 term! In other words, only three more terms and exactly 206 days until graduation! Do I seem eager to get out of here? Well, in some ways I am. Not that this year plus hasn't been a great experience in many respects. I can say, for example, that I have successfully completed a grueling course in Calc 1, 2, 3 and Matrix Algebra (combined) in an 8-week period! (Pretty disgusting, right?). I can say that as co-president for the HSPH Africa Health Forum Student Organization ,  I helped coordinate a Senegalese Welcome Dinner that hosted more than 60 students, and I am currently planning a Dec. 1 World AIDS Day Event. I can say that despite all of my academic commitments, jobs, and extracurricular activities, somehow I've managed to get everything done. That's pretty exciting and empowering, too!

Pics from the HSPH Africa Health Forum (AHF) Welcome Dinner

See the girl in the black shirt, cheesy smile...that's me!

2 HSPH Alumni and 1 current AHF E-Board member

Look at all that yummy West African food!

HSPH students who live in Shattuck International House (where I also work) joined the festivities

Friends and classmates of all backgrounds came to meet, greet, and eat

Me (right) and three of my favorite HSPH classmates!

On the other hand, it's frustrating to take courses that I don't see the relevance of at this stage of my life. Demography, biostatistics, economics...and the list goes on. I know that the methodologies these courses teach are useful in calculating public health-related data, and I know that I'll probably see the use for these courses more once I enter into the real world. It's just that all these numbers make my head spin! Who would have thought that an MSc in Global Health and Population would be so quantitative?!

Do these courses really have any use? Well, let's do a subject profile: take demography - the study of human populations. Last January, I spent 3 1/2 weeks in Mumbai, India - one of the top 5 most densely populated cities in the world.

One of the first pics I took in India through the window of the little "tuk tuk," the tiniest version of a taxi I've ever seen!

A tour of the Shiva god cave-temples on Elephanta Island with some Harvard Business School students that I met in India

Me getting mehndi (henna) work, a traditional Indian art applied for special occasions

Fellow classmate and close friend (left) and I pose with Deepak Mazumdar and Jhelum Paranjape, two traditional Indian dancers who performed "Geet Govind" ("a symbolic representation of the love of Krishna and Radha - a metaphor of human yearning for divine union") at the National Center for Performing Arts

No matter where we went around the megacity, there were streams and streams of people, cars, and traffic of all sorts! Even in all my travels around Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, and southern Africa, I had never seen anything like it! 

Me inside Haji Ali's mosque, home of the tomb of Muslim saint Haji

Hundreds of people wait for the train...

Now, I didn't go to India just for vacation; I went for a Winter Session field study program on health in urban slums with Dr. Richard Cash, one of the inventors of Oral Rehydration Therapy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_A._Cash). I worked closely with a small team of students to conduct a mini research project on hand washing and food preparation techniques among female adolescents in Cheeta Camp Slum Urban Health Center, with the goal of better understanding what factors contribute to positive habits that avert related illnesses in this community. 

Me, HSPH group, and Dr. Cash (left, back)

Group of young women taking vocational training classes at Cheeta Camp Urban Health Center pose with me and my research group members

More young women that we surveyed in vocational training classes

Students we surveyed at one school near Cheeta Camp Slum

While our research didn't lead to any ground-breaking discoveries, the experience did teach me a few lessons about interventions in public health:

#1) Cultural competency is incredibly important in creating effective health programs and policies.

• Anyone who knows me knows that this is my platform! If policies and programs don't demonstrate an understanding of the cultural contexts in which they are meant to be implemented, they will never have the impact on improving the situation in these communities. 

#2) Statistical methods such as what we learned in demography could actually help us to better understand disease patterns in a particular context.

• Towards the end of demography, I remember we talked briefly about methods whereby you can model what the pattern of disease would be among a population if one disease were to be eradicated. In situations where we have to set priorities (i.e., everywhere!!), this can help to identify which interventions may have the largest impact. 

#3) I definitely need to work in the field upon graduation if I want to make the most of the theory HSPH is teaching me.

• The downside to classes here at HSPH are that they largely focus on theory and research, research and theory, great information but little implementation. Courses are taught by some of the leading researchers in their respective fields, but unfortunately, that doesn't translate to providing me with a tangible skill set (outside of number crunching) that will allow me to make the difference I hope to make.

So, I say all of this to admit that my being ready to graduate because the information is useless is a little melodramatic. There is a lot of value to these methodological courses that I detest; I just wish I would have realized that I was required to take them before choosing this pathway. I think what I've also learned is that science and numbers don't tell the whole story. Yes, they can be effective tools in prioritizing and allocating resources, but if an intervention for HIV/AIDS isn't more cost-effective than for malaria, does that mean that we shouldn't put any resources into it? What about the millions of people who are infected or affected? Aren't they entitled to assistance, too?

An economist, demographer, or biostatistician might disagree with me, but I firmly believe that the answer is yes! Because behind every number - no matter how many or few - is a face and a name. That's part of the reason why I'm now working as a research assistant conducting qualitative research...a very exciting and rewarding project that I'll have to share more details on next time!

Ila al-liqaa! (until we meet again)

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.

-From German Playwright Johann Wolfgang von Goethe