Introducing UT-San Antonio's GROW Interns!

Kavina Patel 2017, B.S. Biology

Why GROW?

GROW will allow me to see our partnership bloom first-hand, and learn about the role collaboration play's in grassroots organizations, while developing global health solutions. I will be able to view global health issues in the context of a local population that we will be interacting with.

Excited?

I am excited to see our efforts made all year come to life during GROW. I am looking forward to interacting with the local population that is influenced by our efforts, and see how they perceive our efforts. I am also excited about actually visiting our partner country, and to be working with a NGO abroad.


Shruti Sinkar 2019, B.S. Biology

Why GROW?

I am excited to go on GROW because it will give me an opportunity to see our partnership develop. Also, GROW will give us an opportunity to engage directly with the community we are working in and see public health from a new perspective. It provides a pathway for us to bring an impact in the community we are working in.

Excited?

I am really excited to see our partnership grow, learn Spanish, meet with the local residents of Ollantaytambo. I am also really eager to see how the medical and public health system of Peru works. I am also really excited to try some Peruvian food.


Andrea Aguirre 2017, B.S. Public Health Epidemiology & Disease

Why GROW?

GROW will allow me to participate in research to improve the health of the people in the Sacred Valley region of Peru. I would like to learn more about the implementation of public health interventions and partnering with Sacred Valley Health is a great opportunity.

Excited?

In addition to the research, I am eager to learn more about what it is like to work for an NGO and careers in global health. I hope to learn from the staff of SVH and ask them about their experiences. By participating in GROW I hope to get a better idea about what would be expected of me if I choose a similar career in global health. I am also excited to learn from the Peruvian people, their culture, and local language. I strongly believe that there is only so much we can learn in the classroom and that experience is a great teacher. By living alongside and talking to the Peruvian people, I can learn about a different way of life and the way they see the world.


Henry Linan 2018, B.S. Chemistry

Why GROW?

I wanted to go on GROW because I think it was the best way to get exposed to the world of global health, something I have been meaning to get involved in for quite some time. I also wanted to immerse myself in a culture that I have found fascinating for the longest time.

Excited?

I am excited to meet and interact with new people. I am also really excited for all the adventures that lie in store for us.


Robert Patrick Lonergan B.A. Spring 2016, English

Why GROW?

I chose to go on GROW because of the opportunity to help deliver affordable healthcare to low income areas.  I believe that affordable healthcare is something everyone should have access to. Also, I plan to work in the medical field as an administrator, not a doctor, and to be given the opportunity to learn how to conserve economic resources with a hospital is something that will be advantageous to me in the future.

Excited?

To be able to help those in need.


Biggest goals for GROW?

As our chapter just finished our founding year and this GROW trip being our first, I would like to lay a solid foundation with our partner organization to build future years on, and witness in real-time what they do. I would also like to clearly capture our experiences in our partner country and with our partner organization to bring back to our chapter to share.

As a developing chapter I look forward to being able to establish our branch and learn from our mistakes so that we can be better equipped to deliver the most productive results possible.

Our biggest goals for GROW are to first and foremost establish a strong relationship with our partner and to also establish a lasting positive influence on all the people we meet.

My biggest goal is to develop our partnership and plan future projects with our partner organization Sacred Valley.