This is our first of two stories talking with 2nd year (and recent graduate) MPH students on their international practicum experiences last summer.
Tell us about your Practicum experience. What made you choose this internship?
Dr. Lanning had mentioned briefly in class about looking for a master’s student to bring with her to Rwanda for “Global Health in Africa”. I had been to Cape Town, South Africa before and had been wanting to go back to the continent. I set up a meeting with Dr. Lanning to ask her about the opportunity. As soon as she told me what I would be doing and a general agenda, I was all in. Dr. Lanning has been someone I have looked up to since my undergraduate studies, so I knew I could count on her to provide me with the best practicum experience.
My work first started here in the United States. I did prep work to prepare myself to go to Rwanda. There had been a puppet show script that had been created by a student in a previous cohort. My first job was to review the script to see if it needed edits. I made minor edits to help with the translation process that would take place. In Rwanda, Kinyarwanda, French, and English are the main languages. After that, I was to create my own activities for the children to participate in. While some students were getting their well-being assessments done with the undergraduate and doctoral students, I was working on education. The puppet show would take place first, then my activities. My first activity was for the children to place each food in the correct category of MyPlate. I had to research culturally relevant foods for them to be able to play the game. If a student didn’t place it in the correct category, one of the translators would help me tell the student how to fix it. The second activity was coloring a paper plate to look like MyPlate. They colored the four categories and wrote the names of the categories to take home to teach their siblings or parents.
In addition to my education and practicum experience, I got to experience something that has changed my life. I got to help mentor undergraduate students when participating in their nightly lessons or activities. We participated in a safari, and I got to see the One-Health experience before my eyes. I laughed, danced, and sang with the women at the Africa New Life School. I cried with the men and women in the reconciliation villages when they told their stories of the genocide and how even perpetrators and perpetrated live together. I got to make and eat my food in the “Day in A Life Experience.” I worshipped and sang to the Lord with the church members. I can’t put into words how transformative this experience was for me.
What was it like completing a practicum experience that focused on international populations?
One of my passions in public health is global health and working with diverse populations! It was amazing to be able to work with the community members and leaders in the organization and community. It was difficult at some points due to the language barrier, but we had an amazing group of translators. It was also helpful to tour and learn from different organizations in Rwanda that focus on different public health issues. It took time to be able to think about the logistics and how this compares to the United States. For example, kids would usually enjoy an online game like Kahoot to play a learning game. However, in Rwanda, the internet can have struggles. We decided to use activities that could be done without internet. Also, there are additional logistics to think of like subscriptions, availability of printers, storage, etc.
What differences did you see working with these international populations versus work you may have done locally in Waco or elsewhere in the United States?
There are so many differences working with international populations versus a community in Waco or in the United States. The first is the language consideration. Everything needs to be translated, so this can take additional time on the preparation and planning aspect. Also, while in the country, when working with a translator, you need to speak clear and slowly. They have to hear what you said, think about it, and then translate it. It is important to think and use language that isn’t above a certain grade level so you convey what you mean as accurately as possibly. Especially when working with children! You have to use words that they would understand, rather than a researcher or peer here at Baylor. Additionally, it is important to remember culture considerations. There are certain topics or public health issues that we freely talk about here in the United States, but that may not be a concern or a topic they discuss. It is important to ask the stakeholders and leaders about what is acceptable and not acceptable. When in doubt, it is always best to just ask to clarify! Another aspect that was different is some of the public health and medical concerns. Two main topics that I learned the importance of was water safety and quality and mosquito illnesses and diseases. We take for granted our health here in the United States at times and don’t consider public health issues that are still problems in other countries. I was very thankful to expand my knowledge about varying public health issues than if I had participated in a practicum here in the United States. I am still not a subject expert, but I hope to further develop this in my capstone project. In my capstone project, I am partnering with Dr. Lanning and Africa New Life to create lesson plans, presentations, and activities on varying public health issues affecting Rwanda.
What was your favorite part of traveling abroad for your practicum?
My favorite part of traveling abroad was getting to meet the staff, workers, and families at Africa New Life. My heart misses their joy, kindness, and love. To hear the stories of those of a different culture is everything. It reminded me of the importance of listening to others. Too often in public health, we think we know all the answers. I have learned in reality we don’t, and it is the people in the community who do. I helped with education, but they helped and healed me in more ways than I know. To cry, laugh, and sing with the citizens of Rwanda will be one of the greatest joys of my life. In an educational sense, my favorite part of traveling abroad was broadening the community I worked with. I have worked in the Waco community before, but this was an entire world away.
What unique challenges did you face because of the need to travel abroad?
The first challenge was communication. Since Rwanda is over 8 hours away, it was unique when communicating. This applied to before we got in the country since responses may be delayed, and while in the country when talking with loved ones back in the United States. Communicating with friends and family with the time difference was hard. Another unique challenge was working with translators. There are times when a word in English isn’t in Kinyarwanda or it doesn’t have the same meaning. Another challenge is when working with children. Having to use words and language that is understandable to 5+ year-olds takes time. When going through a master’s program, we are used to academic language. However, to stop and think about the audience took time.
How did this internship contribute to your professional development?
This practicum provided me with so much that is applicable to my professional development. The first is working with stakeholders and partners. I learned the importance of collaboration and community-driven solutions, and community-participatory research. This will be valuable in the future. Also, I learned the skill of working with translators. If I ever work in a community with language barriers, I will have some experience prior. Also, I believe the lessons and experience I received will set me apart from other applicants when applying to jobs.
How do you plan to apply the knowledge and skills you learned to your future career?
There are so many skills and lessons that I learned during my experience that I hope to apply in my future career. My number one interest in public health is in global health. I will always remember working with the translators during my practicum to be able to provide education to the children. While it was hard working in multiple languages, seeing the light on the children’s faces during the puppet show or activities when they got a question right will fill my soul forever. It is important to always think about audience in any aspect of public health. It doesn’t matter if it is in an international setting or not, audience is always the purpose of our work. Who is this going to? Why do they need it? Is there a better way to help? Education is a powerful tool that can shape lives. I hope to be able to provide knowledge and wisdom to others like how my professors have taught me. Additionally, in the reconciliation villages, I learned about the importance of forgiveness. In a career, I want to be able to offer grace, compassion, and forgiveness to those around me.
What advice would you give future students about choosing their practicum experience?
Don’t just think of it as another assignment to complete to get to the degree. Think hard and long about what you want to gain from this experience. It is real life application that will set you up for the real world. Think about your strengths and how they could be used in the practicum. Think about your weaknesses and how they can be challenged.
“I just want to thank the Baylor Public Health Department, the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, the Baylor Study Abroad office, and Dr. Lanning for providing me with the opportunity to participate in a beautiful and life-changing experience. Without the support, I don’t believe that I would have been able to chose and travel for my practicum. And if you are a current student who is interested, you should apply to study abroad with this program!” – Madysen Cordova