Day 3 and 4: Vulnerability, Truthful Progress, the Art of Perspective, and Connections. And the World Cup, of course.

I can't believe it has already been almost a week that I have been here. I am starting to feel quite at home. We enjoyed watching a world cup game (Colombia versus Brazil) and had quite a Colombia-supporting contingent.

Day Three: Global Health and Development Overview

Today, we heard from some amazing speakers, including a talk by Dr. Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, and Dr. Betsy Bradley, faculty director of Global Health Initiatives at Yale, who discussed various leadership theories and what makes a good leader.

With Still Harbor, we talked about how we make certain things a singular story, and this is powerful. For example, perhaps one thinks of Africa and automatically thinks of poverty and hunger and nothing else. This is a singular story that just does not encompass the multidimensional Africa and we miss out by creating these single stories that are not true. Travel helps us to expand our knowledge and redefine these limiting stories. 

On a more serious note, I found out today that my great grandmother, Fernella Myroup, made her transition yesterday. I send my love to her. It has been a rough few weeks, and I ask that you send me loving thoughts and energy at this time with so many changes and stressful events happening simultaneously. Thank you!

Part of Dr. Dybul's lecture

Dr. Mark Dybul

Barbara and Dr. Bradley

Finishing Off Day Two

I enjoyed a wine and dessert party at the end of last evening, and spent some great time with fellows.

We sang all of the national anthems from all of the countries and got to know all of our co-fellows even better. It was a blast.

We heard from Noerine Kaleeba, a fundamental piece of the African AIDS movement in Uganda and founder of TASO, a household name in Uganda, Dr. Mike Westerhouse, a primary care physician working with Social Medicine and immigrant populations in Minnesota, and Phill Wilson, who shared his moving personal struggles and triumphs with HIV/AIDS since the 80s.

"Mama B", my program director from Uganda, had a birthday yesterday!

Fellows enjoying a talk

Engaged

Jenn, USA program manager extraordinaire

Ugandan fellows

Burundi/Rwanda fellows

Our lecture hall

Fists

Sending love to parts of Africa with Noerine Kaleeba, Founder of TASO

Phill Wilson, founder of Black AIDS Institute

New friends

First co-fellow meet up

My co-fellow, Kakeeto, and me

Wine and dessert

Program associate for Uganda

My roommate Jen and me

Me and Nicholas

Singing national anthems

Day Two: Getting to know everyone/vision statement

Today was full of making closer bonds, ice-breaking activities, and sitting a different tables for each meal to get to know as many people as possible. We also worked on our vision statement and did a free writing activity that encouraged us to ponder why we were here, what we value, and what we want in our lives. This will be refined throughout our time here and during our year abroad, and realistically, throughout our lives.

Later on in the afternoon, we went on a 3-hour hike led by Barbara and I got to talk to a lot of really great people. I had a great conversation with my roommate, Jen, and I talked in depth about different approaches to global health with Heather and Nadia.

It's so awesome to be around people with similar life goals and passions. I feel like I am going to explode with excitement.

Made it to Yale! Back in college in a shared dorm room.

Waiting to go on the hike

Above the quad where I am staying right now

I like the sign in this picture

Lots of people decided to join for the hike!

Monument at the top of the hill where we climbed

A house I totally fell in love with...too bad there is "no vacancy"

Nice yard

So sad....has anyone seen this person's lost tortoise?

Group of fellows I was talking with today including my roommate Jen on the bottom right

Fellows chatting it up

Training Day One!

I just know I am really going to love this year. Super excellent energy from all fronts.
We were greeted by a BBQ and a warm welcome.
Here are some pictures from tonight at Yale as we got to know each other!

A group of fellows get to know each other

Yale!

Global Health Corps!

Barbara Bush (Co-founder & Executive Director), interns, and leadership staff

Introductions to the team

Thoughts about this year

The two-week orientation/training starts today for Global Health Corps (GHC). This is the 6th year of GHC, and I am one of 128 fellows from 22 countries. We collectively speak 40 languages and we are the largest class thus far.

I just finished packing (I think) and about ready for the airport. I will be flying into NYC and then taking some form of transportation from there to Yale. It's starting to sink in that I am leaving & I kind of can't believe I am off to travel again, but my spirit is quite free and must move. Today marks my first day ever in Connecticut!  

See the 2014-2015 fellows here:

http://ghcorps.org/fellows/current-fellows/

The group seems amazing, intelligent, and well-rounded. I am especially thrilled to meet my co-fellow Henry from Uganda who will be working in Kampala at the Joint Clinical Research Center with me. He arrived at the training yesterday and it's his first time in America in his life. I look forward to hearing his first impressions. In two weeks, I will be in his country for the first time as well, so it's a fun exchange. 

Here's to an amazing year of adventure, growth, love, and exploration doing what I love.