And we're off!

Hello!!!!

So I apologize that I haven't written at all but I've been incredibly busy and with very limited internet access. For the past week and a half I've been in DC for the launch of the program and it has been interesting and exhausting but really exciting. Our group is wonderfully diverse and smart, and it's so fun to be surrounded by so many people who are as passionate about global health issues as I am. We've been staying at a hostel in the middle of DC which is on the third floor of a church that also serves as a shelter for abused women on the fourth floor and is in collaboration with a homeless shelter across the street. So we've been learning a lot just from our living situation.

It's basically impossible to thoroughly talk about what we've been doing since we've been in DC but I'll try to hit a few of the highlights:

I was on the mall for the inauguration and despite it being Ridiculously cold and crowded, it was so amazing to be part of the madness. I was with 4 other girls from my group and we made our way over at 6:45 AM and were probably half way back in the crowd of millions. It was so incredible. I could feel the excitement and hope in the air and really felt our country uniting and coming together for change. Yay PRESIDENT OBAMA!

One day in small groups we visited different NGOs and met with people there and just asked questions to better understand their ideas about health/ human rights and how they are going about solving the particular issue that their NGO addresses. My group went to 2 wonderful NGOs that tackle the problem of HIV/AIDS in DC. It was really fascinating to learn about the organizations and learn about HIV/AIDS statistics in general. 1 in 20 people in DC is infected with HIV. It's incredible. That rate is higher than those in Western Africa. It's so sad that a country that puts so much money into their health care system, can't take care of it's own people. But I am optomistic: there are a lot of people out there (like those working at Metro Teen AIDS) who are so passionate about helping to support those with HIV/AIDS and prevent new infections.

Then, today we spent the day on Capitol Hill and turned into lobbyists for the day! We had a workshop in the morning and then spent our afternoon meeting in small groups with policymakers and their staffers in order to advocate for a bill that would give federal funding for comprehensive sex education and ALSO lobbyed for adding comprehensive sex education to the guidelines for PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). So today was really fun. It was great to be involved in advocacy and really take an active role in the civic process. ALso, it was really fun to explore the house and senate buildings and be in the busy political scene.

So I guess those were the highlights, but unfortunately there was a lot more that I don't have time to mention such as interesting guest lecturers, trips to the natural history museum and the air and space museum, dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant with IHP alums, and other such fun events.

I can already tell this trip is going to be amazing. I feel I've already made great friends and I'm studying about things that really matter to me and interest me. I know the rest of the trip will be challenging but I'm ready for it and know it will just make me stronger. The greatest challenges often have the greatest rewards. Tomorrow we are flying off to Tanzania! It so amazing/ exciting/ scary. I really can't wait though and I'll try my hardest to keep everyone updated as often as possible. I hope everyone is doing really well. Email me with what's happening in your life! I miss you all!

Next time I write, I'll be halfway around the world! Goodbye, America... until May!

Love,
Sarah Wells

Goodbye, Florida

So I'm leaving for DC tonight and then will be off to Tanzania and Vietnam where I will be studying/traveling until mid-May! Excitement!

I'm going with an organization called the International Honors Program on their "Health and Community" program. There will be 31 students from different colleges (I'm the only one from Tufts) and will be studying global health! A couple of teachers travel with us and we will also have in-country teachers and multiple guest lecturers. So pumped! 

I can't believe this day is actually here. I've been thinking about study abroad and preparing to go for months, and now it's time to leave! I can't even imagine all the crazy adventures to come- new people, new places, new cultures. It's all so exciting-- and I'll be studying global health which makes it even more exciting for me. AND I'll be in DC for Obama's inauguration!!! Wahoo!! So here's the schedule:

Washington DC- January 17 to 28

Tanzania- January 29 to March 12

Vietnam- March 13 to May 8

I've packed my pocket knife, headlamp, biodegradable soap, and 2 pairs of pants (eek...I feel like I'm going camping) and I think I'm all ready to go!  This trip is a bit daunting and I do feel slightly nervous, but I know it will be a wonderful experience. I expect to be challenged and taken out of my comfort zone, but learn so much and have my eyes opened to many different perspectives and ideas that I would never be exposed to by staying at Tufts. Oh, and hopefully have some fun along the way. I will keep an open mind, learn as much as I possibly can, and take lots of pictures!

I hope everyone has a great semester, I will miss you all, and I'll try to update this as often as possible! Goodbye!

Love,

Sarah Wells