When I think about what it means to be a Global Scholar, I think about exploring a world I have never seen before. It is about stepping outside of what I know and being open to new environments, perspectives, and experiences. To me, being a Global Scholar means being intentional about learning from the people around me and understanding how different systems and communities operate beyond my own. It is not just about where I go, but how I choose to engage, reflect, and grow from those experiences.
This summer, I will be in Washington, D.C., where I will be exploring the intersection of policy, finance, and public service. I am especially interested in health policy and how legislation can expand access to care and improve outcomes for underserved communities. I am really excited to be in a space where decisions are actively being made and to see how everything I have been learning actually applies in real life. At the same time, I know it will challenge me. Being in a fast-paced environment surrounded by driven individuals can be intimidating, but I see that as an opportunity to grow and push myself in new ways.
My Capstone-Based Inquiry focuses on access to capital, specifically how financial systems impact underserved and minority-owned businesses. While my long-term interest is in health policy, I believe economic access and financial stability are closely tied to health outcomes. I chose this topic because I am interested in how systems either create opportunities or limit them, and access to capital plays a major role in that. This summer, I plan to approach my research by looking at both policy and real-world application, analyzing how government decisions shape access and how institutions implement those policies in practice.
I want this research to go beyond just being an academic requirement. I hope it helps me better understand how policy can create long-term, sustainable change across different sectors, including healthcare. Even if it starts small, I want to walk away with insights that I can continue building on in my future work.
Outside of my professional experience, I plan to be intentional about engaging with the community around me. I want to go beyond just my internship and take the time to meet new people, attend events, and learn from different perspectives. It can be easy to stay in your comfort zone in a new place, but I want to challenge myself to step outside of that and fully immerse myself in the experience.
At the same time, I will bring my own values and experiences into the spaces I enter. Advocacy and leadership are a big part of who I am, especially when it comes to creating opportunities for others and pushing for more equitable systems. I am excited to share that perspective while also taking the time to listen and learn from those around me.
Overall, this summer is an opportunity for growth in every sense. Being a Global Scholar means taking full advantage of that opportunity and being intentional about what I learn from it. I am excited to explore, learn, and see how this experience shapes my perspective and prepares me for a future in health policy.
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