Exhaust Yourself in Pursuit of an Adventurous Time, Says Student Mursalin Monnaf, on Exchange in the Netherlands

“I never imagined that my passion for traveling would land me into an exchange semester in Europe, full of new experiences and adventures,” says MSc Global Health student Mursalin Monnaf, who has spent her winter term on exchange at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.

Born and raised in Bangladesh, and after studying and working in the United States for several years, Mursalin was eager to expand her horizons even further. Having traveled to most of the major countries in Europe, she recalls her excitement for this “amazing opportunity” the program offers. “I had hoped the exchange would allow me to explore my interest in complex global issues from cultural and community perspectives. It has – and I’ve made life-long friendships in the process!” says Monnaf.

Monnaf says the experience, which has taken her out of her comfort zone, has helped her realize the importance of independence and pushing herself to learn new skills.

When asked if she has any advice for students considering the exchange, Monnaf’s response is to be resilient and to embrace cultural differences. “It’s ok to make mistakes,” she says. “They’re part of the experience, and they’re necessary to grow and learn. You might not fully understand the culture at first, but just do your best to try to bridge the cultural gap – and exhaust yourself in pursuit of an adventurous time!”

Moving on from the exchange, Monnaf looks forward to the Global Health Symposium In India, and, following that, her practicum, which will involve working with Imagine Scholar, a U.S. based organization in South Africa. As an International Development intern, she will work closely with the community on developmentally impactful projects.

“Eventually, after completing this beautiful journey, I would like to go back to my country as a global health specialist to apply most of what I have learned in the program and work for the community I grew up in,” says Monnaf. “I want to share my story with the countless women who aspire to fulfill their dreams.”

 Global Health News