When I learned about the University of Utah's study abroad program that allowed students to visit Cuba for a week, I was ecstatic. In order to give others insight into the program and a bit of my experience, I am writing this blog.
To start out with, I thought I would just add a copy of my statement of intent. The prompt for this was to talk about why I was interested in going to Cuba from an academic, professional, and personal view point and to write it 500 words or less. This was my response:
As an avid lover of public health and a student of public
administration, Cuba holds many attractions for me on a personal, academic and
professional level. Personally, I love to travel and make it a priority to
include international destinations to my itinerary. I have traveled to South
Korea, India, and South Africa and all over Europe and understand many of the
joys and challenges that accompany travelling abroad. Cuba holds an allure with
its rich culture and beautiful nature. I also have an uncle who is Cuban and I
have loved hearing stories about his childhood. There are many unique aspects
of Cuba—its people, its biodiversity, and its history that make it a
destination at the top of my travel picks.
Academically, I am pursuing a dual degree in public health
and public administration and I’m particularly interested in community based
efforts internationally. This study abroad would allow me to explore efforts in
Cuba in a more structured environment than if I were to go visit on my own. I
look forward to learning more about Cuba’s history and exploring the
opportunities and challenges that face it as it is launched onto the global
stage. I would love to examine the administration of many community based
efforts and see how they manage to function and work, both under the communist
government as well as during this time of transition and to see what plans they
have in store for the future.
Professionally, I believe that our successes are interwoven with the successes and stories of those around us and my career goal is to work internationally to promote economic development and public health. I plan on doing this either with non governmental/non-profit organizations or with the Foreign Service. Cuba is uniquely positioned on the world stage, especially in relation to the US. It is so geographically close and yet has had such a turbulent relationship with the US until recently. Cuba is perched and ready to launch into world economics and politics and now is the time to see them. Experience in Cuba would help to broaden my experience internationally, as well as give a unique perspective into Cuban’s national health system which despite its lack of globalization and resources, has been made a priority in state planning and has one of the highest doctor to patient ratios in the world. I am interested in seeing how the loosening of embargoes impacts this and to see the real-life, on the ground impacts of this. "
Professionally, I believe that our successes are interwoven with the successes and stories of those around us and my career goal is to work internationally to promote economic development and public health. I plan on doing this either with non governmental/non-profit organizations or with the Foreign Service. Cuba is uniquely positioned on the world stage, especially in relation to the US. It is so geographically close and yet has had such a turbulent relationship with the US until recently. Cuba is perched and ready to launch into world economics and politics and now is the time to see them. Experience in Cuba would help to broaden my experience internationally, as well as give a unique perspective into Cuban’s national health system which despite its lack of globalization and resources, has been made a priority in state planning and has one of the highest doctor to patient ratios in the world. I am interested in seeing how the loosening of embargoes impacts this and to see the real-life, on the ground impacts of this. "
#utahabroad #globaluprogram
