Guten Tag, MarHaba, Ja sas, Hello! My name is Jasmine Al Rasheed and I am a rising senior and global enthusiast. I am a sociologist at heart and interested in evaluating the impacts of cultural identity with social integration. I also had the pleasure of studying abroad in Greece this previous semester after experiencing many cancellations! I am pursuing a BPhil in International and Area Studies with a major in Sociology and minors in German Language and Applied Statistics. 

 My research project for the Brackenridge fellowship is evaluating the occupational trajectory and integration of female, Muslim migrants in Pittsburgh. Over this summer, I will be conducting individual interviews with migrants in Pittsburgh to understand experiences of discrimination and integration while comparing these findings to similar studies nationally and internationally. This research will contribute to my BPhil thesis, which will examine occupational trajectory among the displaced population in different areas internationally. The goal of this project is to examine how different areas of displacement foster growth for marginalized communities. I feel that this research is important because migration studies often ignore the notion of intersectionality when examining economic integration. Though many female migrants follow traditional roles, they represent a growing population in global workforces. By ignoring notions of intersectionality in religious and gender identities, current socio economic migration literature seems generalized. I feel that this research will provide a lens to the successes and failures of receiving countries in providing resources to marginalized migrant populations. Economic status is an indicator of well-being and social status, therefore economic status is a useful unit of analysis for drawing conclusions beyond this study. 

My faculty mentor is Dr. Cynthia Salter from the School of Public Health’s Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences. Dr. Salter has significant research experience in international and family health, both of which have provided significant advising throughout this project. 

My professional goal is to become an epidemiologist for an international NGO. I am passionate about international public health and research, so this field allows me to pursue both of these passions. I have significant experience in community development, and I would like to see these skills collaborate with my academic passions for a greater purpose. Growing up in an immigrant family has inspired me to want to work in an international setting so that I can work in creating a healthier world for my family here and abroad. After completing my undergraduate degree, I would like to attend graduate school for a Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology. I feel that the Brackenridge Fellowship will help me in achieving these goals by cementing a strong research background in my undergraduate experience. I plan on utilizing these skills in research both in my graduate studies and professional life. I am excited about engaging with a diverse research community, as well, so that I can become a more well-rounded researcher.