IE3 interns awarded the Gilman Scholarship

Noted on June 12, 2012 by IE3 Student in

Tell us about yourself (name, university, major/minor, interest in international experiences).

My name is Marissa Uriarte. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health with an option of Health Promotion and Health Behavior, and a minor in German at Oregon State University. This summer, I will be interning in Loni, India for the Center for Social Medicine. I am looking forward to learning about the public health system as well as the medical care system through the lens of a different culture.

My name is Cassie Soucy and I am a junior at the University of Oregon studying Human Physiology and Religious Studies. My interest in traveling and having an international experience began the summer after my freshman year where I traveled to Costa Rica and Nicaragua with a team to volunteer in medical clinics. When I went there I learned an incredible amount about what I wanted to pursue in life and got the travel bug!

What is the Gilman Scholarship helping you to accomplish (where are you going, what internship work will you be doing, how does this fit in your major/future career goals)?

Marissa: The Gilman Scholarship is not only helping me financially, but it is contributing to my career aspirations and taking part in a life changing experience. During my time at the Center for Social Medicine, I will have a wide range of opportunities that I can take apart in. I will be observing doctors of general medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, neonatology, orthopedics, oncology etc. I will assist in planning and evaluating the public’s social health in rural and tribal areas. I will be considered a team member in providing primary health care, women and child care, and health education and counseling through “outreach” activities in remote and tribal areas. I will also have an opportunity to travel on mobile medical and dental clinics to serve people in tribal villages. There is an array of possibilities which will contribute to not only my field of study, but my goal to become an international public health nurse for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cassie: This summer I am interning with the Center for Social Medicine in rural India. At my internship, I will have the opportunity to shadow health professionals (doctors, nurses, physical therapists), help out in rural mobile clinics, and aid in health education such as HIV/AIDs education or women's empowerment groups. When I graduate, I plan to pursue a Master's in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health and going on to work for UNICEF in bettering the health of children's lives. This internship will allow me to experience what I hope to do in the future and apply my knowledge that I have gained in the classroom to real-life applications.

What do you think made your application for the Gilman Scholarship stand out?

Marissa: I think that I articulated my thoughts well of why I wanted to study particularly at the Center for Social Medicine, and how this would benefit me not only as a professional but as an individual. I also made sure I included the bigger picture. Every country is intertwined with one another. They are indirectly and directly affected by the different events that occur, and I believe it is our job as human beings to learn from each other and work together to make the world we live in a healthy and comfortable atmosphere.

Cassie: I think my Gilman Scholarship application stood out because of my experiences on campus helping students and the passion to let under-represented students know they are capable of interning/studying abroad. Being a low-income student, I knew applying for IE₃ would be an incredible experience that I would learn a lot from, but the financial cost really weighed on my decision to apply. I hope that students, high school or university, will feel empowered to apply and embark on a life-changing learning experience abroad without being hindered by any obstacles that face them.

Do you have any advice or recommendations for future applicants for the Gilman Scholarship?

Marissa: My only advice would be to take advantage of the services your school offers you. I received a lot of help from Oregon State University’s Writing Center as well as Career Services. The individuals whom worked there allowed me to explore my thoughts more, and gave me a different perspective on the essays.

Cassie: My advice to future Gilman Scholarship applicants would be to be true to yourself and convey why the scholarship will help enrich your experience abroad. It is important to clearly state how this scholarship will impact your experience and how you will use it to help others see that interning or studying abroad is possible despite any set-backs you may face. The Gilman Scholarship is an incredible resource for under-represented students looking to gain international experience.