My name is Genève Simeus, and I am a 4th-year undergraduate Public Health student with a double minor in Health Disparities and Anthropology at the University of Florida. I will be continuing my education in Public Health and pursuing a Masters of Public Health starting Summer 2021 in the Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration.

 

My international experiences began at a young age. I was born in Gonaives, Haiti, and immigrated to West Palm Beach, Florida at the age of 2 and a half-years-old. As a toddler, I was simultaneously developing my Haitian Creole while also learning to speak English and adapting to life in the United States. Throughout the years, we have visited family in Haiti very often. Although living abroad, I was connected to my Haitian culture. At the age of 10, I became more aware of the health disparities and lack of health resources that Haiti faced. This was the beginning of my passion for international rural health. 

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My study abroad research in Haiti first introduced me to public health, health disparities, and the impact of culture on health. It inspired me to be able to combine public health and medicine to promote equitable care both locally and internationally. Through the International Scholars Program, I have been able to take courses that focus on how culture impacts health such as Culture and Medicine and Global Health Culture. I have also been able to meet other students from other countries through UF Navigators which have helped increase my cross-cultural communication and teamwork skills.

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When I'm not busy or occupied you can find me watching a movie or show on Netflix or Disney+, Searching up Natural Hair and Makeup Tutorials on Youtube. I enjoy most Outdoor Rec Activities like Kayaking and Canoeing, Skating, Cultural Art, Theme Parks, Travelling and Sightseeing, Dancing when no one is watching, spending quality time with family and friends, cooking cultural Haitian dishes, and recently the gym.