International hands-on experience can be life-altering. Just ask Ellen Boyd, a second-year medical student who recently completed a global health elective in Ifakara, Tanzania.
“My experience in the hospital there really solidified my interest in pursuing global health as part of my career,” says Ms. Boyd. “It was like going back in time – everything was completely hands-on, without the benefit of technology.”
As she explains, in first-year medicine students use models to do prenatal exams and deliveries. In Tanzania, however, she did it for real – and without technology. “I even delivered a baby myself,” she says, still amazed by the experience.
Most importantly, Ms. Boyd says the experience has inspired her to explore and take on new challenges – to travel, to meet new people and to learn other perspectives. “It’s made me much more confident and taught me skills I likely wouldn’t learn here. I know I can adapt to situations, that I can handle it when things don’t go exactly as they are supposed to.”
One of the projects under the Student Success pillar of the Bold Ambitions campaign is the Student International Experience Fund. Recognizing that globalization is rapidly changing the fabric of our society, this fund will provide financial support to students for study abroad programs and international work placements as part of their educational experience.
Learn more in the video below or at boldambitions.ca
This article is part of the Dalhousie Difference series, exploring what the power of philantrophy means to the university and introducing and showcasing some of the 50 innovative projects in development..
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