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Testimonials

Cohort 2024

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Leah

University of Warwick

Master of Public Health

Q: What is a core experience you've built here?

"I would say probably standing in the microbiology lab with Ahmed and seeing how cramped it was and just listening to him talk about his experience and his battle to want to be there and support his community.  I am more flexible and I have more patience than I ever thought I did" 

Tyler

Columbia University

Medical Humanities (Pre-Med)

Q: What have you learned about yourself while being in Gambia?

"I learned that I am more independent than I thought I was. Back home I never thought I would hold a python around my neck. I think I learned to be more independent and flexible. Waking up in the morning not knowing what we were doing but still being open-minded to the possibilities to come for the day" 

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Demetrist

Duke University

Public Policy/African American Studies

Q: What is a core memory you've built here?

"Playing soccer with the kids and teaching them about diabetes in the school.  When I leave, I wan to feel like I've made a difference in one person's life"

Isadora

Columbia University/Trinity College Dublin

Philosophy

Q: What is a core memory you've built here?

"Definitely when we went turtle watching and I was able to sit at the beach by myself, look out into the ocean with the moonlight"

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Nathalie

Columbia University

Narrative Medicine

Q: What is a memory that was meaningful to you?

"I think being part of the beach cleanup was really meaningful to me because it felt like we were contributing to restoring the natural beauty of this place. I also really enjoyed the medical related things we did including the health screening and the narrative medicine workshops"

Dilan

Columbia University

Computer Science/Business

Q: What have you learned about yourself in this experience?

"I learned that I don't need a lot to live. I think there is a misconception that you need to live extraordinary lives to be content but I think here people live very happy, consistent, lives here. This is a community"

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Erin

Columbia University

European Studies/History

Q: Describe the Gambia in a word?

"Welcoming. We've just laughed together a lot and had a lot of fun late nights"

Claudia

Columbia University

Human Rights/Sustainable Development

Q: Describe the Gambia in a word?

"Community. I think a core memory I have is after the Djembe workshop where I learned two songs with Isadora. It was really sweet to see how music can connect across different backgrounds"

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Sunjoon

Columbia University

Computer Science/Climate System Science

Q:  What have you learned about yourself in this experience?

"I realized how privileged I am to be able to experience this educational experience. This is not an opportunity that is accessible to everyone" 

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