Chevening Essay on Networking
In 2013, during my 3rd year of medical school, I took a course in International health policy, epidemiology, and statistics, which influenced and inspired a new interest and a possible career path in Public Health. Taking this course has been an eye-opener to the vast and diverse ways to connect with others through health. I developed a keen interest in participating in forums to promote and address community and international health policies and education. Among these, was my participation in the seasonal and annual interschool, interprovincial Model United Nation conferences (MUN). As a delegate, this platform created the opportunity for me to meet and network with other delegates and some of the most prominent provincial and nations policy makers and government officials. I took this opportunity to interact and exchange contacts and ideas on our position paper and also talk about some of our aspirations. I continue to interact with most of the contacts I made at these conferences and I believe as individuals with similar goals and aspirations if there was a cause to combine our resources and expertise for a common cause, they'll be excited to support.
As part of my academic curriculum, I had to undergo a year of clinical rotation in any country of my choice. However, I decided to return to Ghana for my final year medical rotation. During my rotation, I took the opportunity to join and volunteer for some NGOs in Ghana. Having been away for so long, CLITH (Changing Lives through Health), one of the NGOs I work with, gives the opportunity to network and connect with other health professionals and volunteers with diverse professional backgrounds. Also, each project offers a chance to meet and interact with clients, members of other NGO' we collaborate with. With our growing social networking, we have social media platforms on which we share and discuss professional ideas, opportunities, and future projects.
It's said to go fast, go alone but to go far, go with others. I can relate to that as a member of Bridge Missions. Bridge Missions is a religious NGO, which aims to reach out globally to others with our unique stories, background, professions, promoting health and education. We are mostly Health care providers, religious leaders, architects, engineers, and others. This organization has over twenty different nationalities consisting of past alumni of the fellowship I attended during my studies in China. As part of our initiative, we visited Zambia this May. We held conferences, donated books, and medical equipment to some institutions among others. I seized the opportunity to connect with other young professionals I met on this mission. We continue to work toward planning, improving and executing our upcoming events.
As a Chevening scholar, I will engage both past and incoming Chevening scholars by creating platforms and forums to help nurture and develop career opportunities. Also, with my existing and Chevening network, I hope to influence, promote and improve health policies in my country and across the globe.