“The measure of a civilization ultimately comes down to how people treat each other. Kindness is the basic ingredient.” These words were recently spoken by Bill Foege, former CDC director, humanitarian, and one of the most inspiring people I have known. My first few days in Salvador were filled with kindness—both observed and experienced—and I sense this temperament is building strong social and professional networks that will benefit the future of public health.
First, in GSU’s Brazil study abroad group, I see people treating each other with respect, patience, and sincerity. We are a friendly and considerate group of folk. But we also have very different backgrounds, preferences, and interests. My experiences in public health to date have shown me that developing strong interpersonal skills are essential for building institutional collaborations, research networks, and supportive colleagues who are invested in helping you succeed. The GSU Brazil study abroad program is providing students ample practice to be kind in situations where it is often easier to not be so graceful. Practicing kindness is a skill in an international setting, where some comforts of home are lacking and we spend twelve hours a day engaged with intense learning. Our experiences here help us all grow by creating new interpersonal connections and developing foundations for working in international public health.
Second, I am the recipient of kindness, offered to me by GSU study abroad members and by Bahians. On my first day here, Dr. Stauber made sure I arrived safely, arranged for a friendly face to pick me up from the airport, and facilitated a very smooth introduction to Brazil. In just a few days I have seen Dr. Stauber go out of her way for several students, exemplifying kindness through empathy, consideration, and unselfish dedication. For lunch today I was also invited to a colleague’s home here in Salvador. We had an opportunity to share food, sun, and some beach sand. Although it only happened today, the kind lunch invitation from my colleague built a foundation for future collaborations that could never be achieved in a conference room, email, or phone call.
The connections we are making in Salvador will undoubtedly lead to new passions, collaborations, ideas, and unpredictable opportunities. Underneath all of these new developments kindness will flow. And the members of GSU’s Brazil study group will be dishing it out in the name of public health.
