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First of all I am so grateful to be here in Uganda. I am also grateful to my daughter Dr. Kim White, Dr. Swahn, all of the students, Anna, Charles, and Geoffrey for your help, love and support. I could not have done this trip without you.

As a young girl I never in a million years dreamed I would travel to any foreign countries let alone Africa.  My mother and father were domestic workers and two ladies that my mom worked for used to travel overseas a lot. They would always send our family postcards and although I always enjoyed getting the cards and seeing all the places they visited, it never occurred to me that traveling to these places would be something I might do.

Well, that was a long time ago and the world has gotten smaller for me, in terms of being able to travel and here I am in Kampala.  It has been amazing seeing all the things I looked at on Trip Advisor and the tour books I reviewed in preparing for this trip.

One of the things that amazes me continuously, is how I see such a resemblance of my African-American relatives and friends in the faces of the people I see every day here in Kampala, Uganda.  The day we went to Somero, one of the young girls looked exactly like one of my nieces. Another lady reminded me so much of the actress Alfre Woodard and one day I saw a man who looked exactly like Kim’s Uncle Lou, her father’s twin brother, ride by on a boda, boda (Boda-Bodas are motorcycle taxis here in Kampala)   Somewhere in the long line of genetics I am sure my genes and some of the fellow African brothers and sisters I see here are intertwined.  It is a blessing to be here, the land of my ancestors.

I love it here.  The more people I meet and talk to, the more comfortable I am.  I am so grateful to Kim for making it possible for me to be here.  That little girl who only saw postcards from other people who were traveling has now traveled throughout the U.S. Including Hawaii and Alaska. I have been to Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe but not to Australia……not yet…..Who knows what the future holds.  

Evangelyn Ramsey

There are moments in your life that your knowledge is tested and you realize that you don’t really know what you think you do. It was during my teaching experience last summer that I realized that I had a very limited pool of life experiences. I noticed that many of my students had a larger world view than I had and could understand the nuances of society through a wider lens. Through conversations with my students. I decided that in order for me to be the person and teacher I desired to be, there was so much more in the world that I needed to experience for myself.

This was verified when I visited the American Museum of Natural History.  Walking through the atrium I was confronted with a preserved elephant, one of my favorite animals, in as much of its majestic glory that could be captured from a stuffed animal. I could not comprehend the sheer magnitude of the elephant. All I could think was “Are elephants really this big?”, “This is fake, right?” and I felt the same way as I continued to walk through all of the other exhibits in the museum. I understood then that having a life without experiencing all the world has to offer is a problem that I needed to fix and soon.

When the opportunity to study abroad in Uganda came along, something told me that I needed to be a part of this trip. Luckily, the cards aligned just so that I could experience all of the things I have on this trip. Every day is a learning experience. I find that this journey is beyond an opportunity for me to explore additional interests that I have in alcohol epidemiology. I have felt so much like I am at home as opposed to a foreign country. Except for a few major differences I often find it difficult to feel like I am in Africa. I have been amazed that the conditions here are a lot like I have seen in movies or documentaries but I have also been surprised at how the conditions of many of the places we have visited, such as the slums, have made me consider how far my family has come and that it has not been that long since they lived like the people here.

Today was part of a weekend of relaxation, we are in Mburo National Park among zebras, monkeys, impala, water buffalo and other native animals in a place of quiet serenity. We were able to experience a peaceful ride on lake Mburo with Hippos, water fowl, and amazing scenery. This peace was only slightly interrupted when a snake slithered its way into our boat but quickly made its way back into the water. While on this trip I have been able to spend even more time with the new family I have gained in fellow students on this trip. I have been further reminded that conditions are not always what they seem.  I have grown so much as a person because of this trip and I am sure there are more changes to come.

There are some moments in life where you are left in awe and complete amazement. The past five days in Uganda have become defining moments in my life and I am certain the remainder of this experience will leave a lasting impression. While we drive to and from our various destinations, I catch myself looking out the window in a trance asking myself “is this really real, am I really in Africa?”.  Spending time in Africa has always been a hope of mine and I am finally able to check this off my bucket list of life adventures. However, this experience has deeper meaning for me. Many people have described their previous experiences regarding their arrival to the Motherland and I now have one to share as well. I have been immersed and currently embracing a new culture while constantly comparing and contrasting it to my own. The storefronts, bustling traffic, smell of food and burning wood act as a constant reminder that I’m not in the United States. However, after witnessing many of the traditional dances and hearing songs of the people here I feel deeply rooted and at home. The cultural experiences coupled with the concepts learned in the classroom make this a well-rounded experience. We are able to learn about ourselves, each other, and brainstorm on ways to move forward the work of public health.

One of the best parts of this experience is the familial bond I share with my other classmates. This group of students is diverse in age, educational background, and professional experience making us all complementary to each other. We each add a unique view and openly discuss our experiences pertaining to the trip over breakfast, bus rides, or while sitting at the dinner table. Each day I develop stronger relationships with everyone on the trip and each is distinctive. It is something special about being in a foreign environment with someone that produces instanteous unity. Georgia State University and Public Health was the sole unifying element between us initially, but this trip has sparked thought-provoking conversation about our backgrounds, interests, and current events taking place in Uganda and America. Planned activities have created shared moments of accomplishment such as our 10 mile bike ride, while visiting the slums of Uganda reinforced our genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

I am certain that each of us will continue to grow as we develop and perfect our research goals. I believe an important element of pursuing a career in public health is to remember why you began in the first place. Meeting the children, seeing the need for improved infrastructure, and experiencing the disparity in health is eye-opening. Moments experienced in this trip define why I began on this path and will encourage me as I move forward.

The School of Public Health at Georgia State University is excited to be taking a group of students on our first study abroad trip to the African continent in May 2016.

This program will introduce students to public health issues from a global perspective, with a focus on providing an educational, applied, and cultural opportunity for students in the epidemiology of alcohol use and alcohol-related harm in Uganda.

The course will place special emphasis on the structural drivers of alcohol use and alcohol-related harm including injuries, violence and HIV primarily among youth and young adults. Instruction will be provided by Georgia State professors and professors at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, as well as by local Non-Governmental Organizational partners who work in the alcohol prevention field or health promotion more broadly. Our key collaborator, the Makerere University is a flagship university in Eastern Africa that is highly prestigious and is very research active with substantial research funding from the U.S.

Please follow this blog and join our students as they chronicle their learning and adventures in Uganda.