Faculty of Health Sciences

A fourth-year public health student discovers her skill set is employable anywhere

Academically, Kayla Hopkins felt well prepared when she travelled to Uganda to embark on an independent study in 2012. She had spent months preparing for the trip under the guidance of Sharon Yanicki, coordinator of the public health program at the University of Lethbridge and was well prepared for the challenges of the Ugandan public health situation. What Hopkins wasn’t so sure about was how she would feel once she arrived.

“I’d never been to a developing country, so I prepared myself for different living conditions,” says Hopkins. “I went with an open mind. I wanted to take it all in, to help as much as possible, learn as much as possible, and just enjoy the experience.”

Luckily, Hopkins’ accommodations in Uganda turned out to be quite comfortable. A little cot in an old school is a big step up from a dusty bed on a hut floor – a sleeping arrangement that was entirely possible, and that Hopkins had braced herself for. But the lodgings weren’t the only thing she found surprising. Poverty is pervasive in Uganda, and Hopkins thought it might be difficult to stay upbeat in the face of rampant disparity and the struggle of those at the short end of it. Once again, Hopkins’ expectations were exceeded.

“The Ugandan people have nothing, yet they’re happy and positive,” says Hopkins. “Anything we could do for them, share with them, teach them – they were overjoyed. They were so grateful to have us there, and we learned so much from them.”

Hopkins and a team of other volunteers taught a six-week health class at a Ugandan school which was met with unbridled enthusiasm among the students. A series of community meetings that Hopkins’ group conducted were also well received and well attended by villagers.

“We covered topics that the people there deal with every day,” says Hopkins. “TB, HIV/AIDS, – disease prevention was very important, but we also discussed things like clean water, hand washing and basic money management.”

Hopkins was pleased with the inroads she and her team made in the six short weeks they were in Africa, but says that the real benefits from the trip are hers. She’s also quick to point out that the public health program gave her the support and skills she needed to be effective not only in Uganda, but anywhere in the world.

“The program gave me an unparalleled learning experience and from a personal perspective it’s been life altering,” says Hopkins. “I developed skills and a knowledge base that will allow me to work wherever I want, and do exactly what I want to do. Community development and engagement, cultural differences, ethical issues – the program taught me how to identify the barriers people of any culture may face in regards to health and wellbeing.”

Hopkins is wrapping up her public health program with a practicum placement in Saskatoon and plans to graduate in Spring 2013.