I am a senior working towards a major Human Physiology and a minor in Global Health. My journey within the field of global health began when I joined Students for Global Health (SGH). In this club, I was able to engage in ethically stimulating discussions, fundraising events, and bonding retreats, all of which piqued a special interest in me. In addition to this, I had the opportunity to attend a health conference hosted by OHSU, which aimed to address health disparities in under-served populations.
Finally, SGH allowed me to foster valuable relationships with like minded peers whom I often engage with outside of the club. I was interested in both local and global health opportunities that would also satisfy the internship requirement for the global health minor. With this, I was able to start a local health internship experience at the HIV Alliance, which is an organization that strives to reduce the transmission of HIV through harm reduction principles. At the HIV Alliance, I currently participate in the Needle Exchange program as well as in testing services where I serve as a testing technician. This experience has inspired me to consider future experiences involving the prevention of HIV/AIDS in under-served populations. Whether it be through higher education or involvement with health NGOs, my plans for the future remain open.