University of Florida
Study Abroad: UF in Haiti
Haiti is often referred to as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and often entirely overlooked. I was genuinely surprised that UF had a research-based study abroad program in Haiti. As a Haitian-born native, I was eager to apply to this program and set flight to Haiti during the summer of 2018.
I never imagined that my study abroad in Haiti would introduce me to a new field of study that would change my future career goals. I entered Gressier Haiti, determined that medicine was the best way to help Haiti, and left learning that there are so many ways to help others and they are all each and equally important. Throughout our research on water insecurity and water-borne illnesses, I learned the importance of community health and needs assessments, community-based participatory research, and medical cultural anthropology.
During the health surveys and ethnographic interviews that we conducted, it became apparent that the village would benefit more from a sustainable water source built by an environmental engineer, than a doctor treating patients for cholera door to door. With a sustainable water source and cholera treatment, the village would be better equipped to face cholera. This moment was a crucial turning point for me. It showed me that so much more can be accomplished when different professions work together and emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork. This study abroad experience was my first introduction to public health and inspired me to apply to UF’s Public Health program the following spring semester. Today, I stand as a soon-to-be graduate of the Bachelor of Public Health Program and a current Master of Public Health Candidate.
This study abroad experience served as not only a learning experience for me but a personal growth experience. I was able to learn more about Gressier, Haiti a part of the country that was unknown to me while also serving as a Haitian Cultural Educator for my fellow study abroad peers. We woke up early every morning and using a simple random sampling method, identify our participant houses for survey collections, and ethnographic interviews during phase two of our research.
Things did not always go as planned during data collection. Sometimes there was no one home, or we were left waiting for what felt like ages for our transportation to our next area in the village. I learned how to be adaptable and flexible and used these moments to examine any nearby water pumps or sites. I had to communicate and work collaboratively with others to reach our daily data collection goals. This experience also served as an opportunity to use my Haitian Creole on an academic level. Because I speak, read, and write Haitian Creole, I was able to conduct health surveys and ethnographic interviews on my own. I also did a lot of translation and transcribing of the data we collected.
What I loved most about this study abroad trip is that we not only got to see the prominent health disparities and lack of health resources in Haiti but also the beautiful side of Haiti. We went on weekend excursions to beautiful beaches in Jacmel and Ti Goave and got to explore the waterfalls of Basin Bleu and the National Museum of Haiti.
We also got to explore Haitian culture through Haitian cuisine, music, dance, and art. This study abroad program showed that Haiti is more than just an impoverished country to be overlooked. It is a country filled with resilient people and a rich culture.
