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Sam Fahmy
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School of Public Health
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BSPH student Adetayo Adesina credits her study abroad trip to Ghana with providing invaluable hands-on experiences that have shaped her career aspirations.
Name: Adetayo Adesina
Hometown: Loganville, Ga.
Expected date of graduation: Summer 2025
Which BSPH concentration did you choose, and why?
I chose the Population Health Sciences concentration pre-med track because I wanted to have a strong science background in combination with public health for a well-rounded health knowledge base.
Why did you choose to major in public health?
I wanted a broad prospective into the health field, with the science background combined with the socioeconomic aspect of health around the world. With this, I would be a better health care provider because I would also have learned how to navigate health with a humane perspective, considering the determinants of health and how a patient’s history throughout their lives impact and affect the things I would treat.
What has been your favorite public health class at Georgia State, and why?
My favorite course was the one I took while studying abroad “Field Study of Contemporary and Emerging Global Public Health Issues in Ghana: A Focus on Water/Sanitation, HIV and Women's Health,” because it allowed me to gain my first international experience and completely shifted my career goals. I learned how to create and perform proper research that was appropriate to the different culture that I was communicating with. Prior to this trip, I thought I would be a PA (physician assistant) and just send the money I earn to family and small organizations in West Africa, but after I decided that I would like to do international research in many developing countries and create my own clinics, NGOs, commission offices etc. in these countries.
Tell us about your campus involvement?
I am a member of the African Student Association, African Student Association Dance Team, Aspiring African Medicals Professionals club, International Students Club and Women in Pre-Med. The African Student Association is a club aiming to build community within students of African descent across campus. We have showcases such as our Taste of Africa event, which hosts over 700 people a year. As a member of the African Student Association Dance Team, I dance and mentor the new dancers during and outside of dance practice (mentors and mentees are matched based on major). The other organizations I’m a part of enable me to meet other pre-med students and attend healthcare panels and events where I can meet professionals and learn about medical programs at other schools.
Where is your favorite place on campus, and why?
My favorite place is the 55 Park Place study floors. This is like a hidden gem on campus because it is quiet and has a lot less traffic than the library and is a nice environment to really focus and get some work done.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Go to office hours and make sure your teachers know your name. Try to join at least one e-board or club committee. Find an upperclassman mentor to help you navigate your classes!
What’s your career aspiration?
I want to become a dermatology PA and use that experience to implement dermatology programs in developing countries to promote screening and treatment for dermatological diseases.