Erika Power ‘07
Fair Haven, NJ

Erika Power is a double major in Biology and Islamic Studies who had a summer internship at Unite for Sight in Ghana.

Helping the people was very fulfilling and worthwhile. There was so much more we could have done, but we were limited in our ability to accomplish our goals by factors like bureaucracy (there was a nurse's strike for two weeks). However, I did keep a positive attitude and did not get overwhelmed. By the end of the internship, I got very good at prescribing glasses and even learnt a few words in one of the local dialect.

When: Summer 2006 (between junior year and senior year).

Why an international internship: I was intrigued by Africa. A friend also told me about the health issues over there. 

What language did you speak: English.

What did you do: I was both an intern and worked in a team of volunteers that grew each day. Tasks included fund raising for the development of the clinic, as well as outreach field work in the villages. The outreach consisted in testing the eyes of children in villages and schools. There were days when we would screen the eyes of and make diagnoses for over 400 kids.

What next: I have applied for the Peace Corps in Africa. After that, I plan to go to graduate school for a masters and doctorate in public health.