The focus of my discipline, public health, is uniting people from all over the world to fight poverty and prevent diseases. I’m only three months into my Fulbright experience, but I can attest that it has already exceeded my greatest expectations. This opportunity has truly given me the chance to engage in health promotion activities in the United States through both the courses I am taking and by volunteering in my city. I am grateful for having such remarkable professors, a group of peers, and a kind, helpful community, especially in times of distress.
Hurricane Harvey hit Houston hard just a few weeks after I arrived. It left thousands of people homeless who were in need of food, water, and shelter. After the storm, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health staff requested students to volunteer alongside the American Red Cross and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
I had the chance to volunteer for one day with my classmates at the Houston Food Bank. The time I spent there collaborating with my peers to assemble boxes of food for distribution was simply one of the best moments I have ever experienced. Despite the tragedy that hit Houston, leaving the entire city terribly flooded, we were all united with one goal: to help people in need of aid, to reach out to the citizens who lost their homes, and to ensure the safety and health of the community by providing clean water and food necessary to support the homeless families.
As soon as we arrived to the food bank, we were divided into groups of four. We were tasked with filling up around 500 boxes to be shipped to the designated shelters and centers. However, after just three hours of volunteering, we were able to assemble 900 boxes. We were really proud and excited that our small achievement contributed to helping 900 families in times of distress.
Hurricane Harvey caused serious damage, and many people are still suffering from its repercussions. Even though I wanted to volunteer at the shelters after from my experience at the food bank, I wasn’t able to go due to the lack of transportation, as the flooded streets left me trapped in my apartment for five consecutive days. I am definitely looking forward to getting more involved in my community through additional volunteering experiences in the future. One of the lessons I’ve learned during my time in the United States is the never-ending joy you feel when you contribute to ensuring the prosperity and safety of your community.
I can’t express how lucky I am to be here and to integrate my own culture and identity into the American society. Being a Fulbrighter is a dream come true, and I plan to make the most of the experience, one step at a time.
Lea is a Fulbrighter from Lebanon. She is working on her MPH in Global Health with a focus on Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas.
