For me, 2018 was the year of living boldly. I was recovering from a rare disease diagnosis that inflamed every joint in my body, and I was learning how to define my new normal. But after leaving the hospital, suddenly, the world outside didn’t seem as scary anymore. I was ready – no, I was […]
Self-Care
End of Term Reflections
The past three months have felt like six months yet also as if they’ve flown by in the blink of an eye. I started planning my year in London the moment I was accepted to graduate school. I anticipated an intense year trying to balance returning to school and exploring Europe, but I thought the […]
Biggest Little Lessons
I was ready to move from Nevada before I even moved to Nevada. And yet, saying goodbye was much harder than I anticipated. Driving away, I reflected on what my almost two years in Reno taught me, and I realized I learned many valuable lessons. Dance like everyone’s watching. First and foremost, I learned how […]
Home Sweet Kitwe
Dearest Kitwe, It’s no secret that we had a rocky, rollercoaster-like relationship that dipped in valleys from tears of loneliness to tears of bliss. At the beginning of last August if you had told me I’d one day sit down to write a blog post reminiscing about all that you taught me and showed me, […]
Unconventional Lessons GHC Taught Me
When I signed up for Global Health Corps in Kitwe, Zambia last May I knew it would teach me a string of lessons. I imagined learning about professionalism, moving to a new country and city, building a community from scratch. And I did learn all of that! But I learned so much more too. Here […]
The Burden of Mental Illness
A week ago, a friend took her life. A month ago, she created this GoFundMe Page, premeditating her suicide. Seven years ago, she attempted suicide for the first time, and in the years following she tried two more times. If able, I highly encourage you to read her powerful narrative because, unfortunately, I guarantee it […]
Building Resilience
Two weekends ago, #ZamFam travelled to Siavonga for our GHC Quarter 1 Workshop. The purpose of this weekend was to reflect on the successes and challenges of our first 3 months, and the central theme was building resilience. If I may create an elaborate metaphor, building resilience is akin to learning choreography. Unless you happen […]
Mental Illness Is Not A Costume
I am NOT my mental illness, and my mental illness is NOT your costume. Thank you to my amazing mentor/role model/big sister/and everything in between, Kate Kryder, for writing such an important post just in time for Mental Health Awareness Week from October 11-17th. Learn more about the work she does and her campaign here: […]
Single and NOT Ready to Mingle [with Sexist, Objectifying Men]
Ever since I could listen, my mom has told me that I am independent and can be the rightful bread winner of my home. Though she grew up in a country with a prevalent gender gap, I was raised to believe that women and men are created equal and can both do anything. In college […]
Bent But Not Broken
On Day 2 of GHC Training, Dr. Noerine Kaleeba, the patron and founder of TASO Uganda, shared an inspiring talk on resilience in health and development. I etched her phrase, “Bent But Not Broken” into my notebook thinking it would be relevant one day, not realizing just how true it would become for me. These […]