Why pursue global health?

Many diseases which affect many developing nations are conditions which can be prevented and controlled with the proper allocation of resources and implementation of proper medical programs. It deeply concerns me that despite the fact that some cures and solutions do exist to these problems, the world is still faced with disease which arise from poverty and unsanitary conditions. It is this disparity between the “haves” and the “have nots” that is most heart rendering and I feel that something needs to urgently be done about this situation. Because I am interested in the field of international medicine, I think that this project is critical for me as it will allow me to get first hand experience in a field which I hope to invest my life in.

I also genuinely feel that the there is a dire need for individuals to investment their time in international projects and any sort of time commitment and project can prove to be helpful to international organizations who are working in preserving the health and well being of individuals around the world. Therefore, I feel that this experience would beautifully fit into my academic and career goals. A project of this caliber will allow me to use the knowledge base which I have gained from my classes in ethics, development and politics and apply them in a real world setting. I also think that a project which allows me to experience some of the situations which were dissected in my various lectures will allow me to appreciate the hidden complexities within each of these various disciplines.

A global health experience would also complement my study of infectious diseases in developing countries which is currently my major. The initial purpose of deriving my major was to analyze the constructs of politics, ethics and society in the context of disease. A global health project will combine all of these disciplines in a format which will be conducive not only to my academic goals but also as a human being. In a world which is driven by so many materialistic incentives and ambitions it sometimes becomes difficult to see beyond oneself and put situations in perspective. A project of this caliber will allow me to put various issues which I have faced in my academic as well as my personal life in perspective so I can learn from even the challenging experiences instead of simply being hindered by them. I sincerely believe that there is also a dire need to be aware of the circumstances which affect us all. It is so easy to get caught in the daily life of school work that one often forgets the deeper importance of why it is so integral to get an education and the value of that education which goes beyond the prospects of a new job. A project of this type will allow me to be further aware of my academic goals and aspirations and will allow me to appreciate the value of my education and real work experience.

Lastly, the disparities in the world are so devastating to the point where it seems like it would be a crime to not attempt any humanitarian effort. I feel like the world we live in and its wellbeing is just as important as the local community which affects us on a day to day basis. A simple matter of distance does not make a location’s problems insignificant and therefore I always want to involve myself in projects which will allow me to do humanitarian work on a global scale as I feel like it is essential to our world community.