My Experiences

From Iringa to Gainesville, each of these experiences has shaped the way I think about health, care, and community. In Summer 2024, I participated in a study abroad program focused on medical anthropology in Tanzania, where I shadowed at Tosamaganga Regional Referral Hospital in Iringa and Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam. Through guided ethnographic observation, I gained a deeper understanding of cultural perceptions of health and the role of traditional and biomedical care in end-of-life experiences.

In Summer 2025, I returned to Iringa through the NSF-funded Summer Undergraduate International Research Program (SUIRP) to conduct independent research on pain management and palliative care. Using semi-structured interviews and ethnographic fieldwork, I explored the experiences of doctors, families, and traditional healers in navigating death and dying in hospital settings.

To see moments from my time in the field, visit the Gallery page featuring photos from the 2025 SUIRP program.