Global Health Symposium May 4 – Daily Recap: Reflections from Abroad
Reflections from Abroad: Sudan Student Exchange Program with Glory Chijioke
Can you reflect on your exchange experiences in Sudan?
“My experiences in Sudan to be honest, were synonymous with me experiences in life generally. They were filled with really exciting “highs”, mediocre “averages” and sad “lows”.
I must comment on the fact that the hospitality of Sudanese Nationals is truly heart-warming. I made great friends amongst the locals and cutely had an entire crew come to say good bye at the airport, expressing with word and hugs that, ‘They cannot wait for me to be back for my thesis with stories about India.’
It’s also important to comment on the fact that, while safety anywhere in the world is primarily an individual’s responsibility; compared to the ‘default notion’ of an unsafe country, Khartoum is very safe.”
How has your experience better prepared you for a future career in global health?
My experiences have given me practical and theoretical insight into the workings of national and international actors of global health, especially in the context of protracted and underfunded health emergencies. I think I have also learnt to better sit back and reflect from practical experiences on the different elements that shape global health in our world today. A vivid and current example is the after effects of the US economic sanctions, alongside a myriad of other factors creating, as I write today, near insane inflations and as one can imagine poor health outcomes. I am humbled, inspired and challenged to give the best I can, in the future, as a global health practitioner, towards improved equitable global health and well-being.”
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