Hello!

My name is Anisha Sankar, and I am a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Microbiology and Spanish on the pre-medical track. I am also pursuing the Honors Degree with a certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine, a Certificate in Latin American Studies, and a Chemistry minor. This summer, I was fortunate to receive the Martinson Elevate Award to apply towards the Pitt in Bolivia study abroad program.

This program involves infectious disease, Spanish, and sociology courses, as well as volunteering with the Casari Foundation: an organization focused on youth literacy and providing safe spaces after school. I have been involved with Jumpstart at Pitt, so working with and mentoring students through the Casari Foundation is an exciting opportunity. Moreover, I am excited to embark on field trips and excursions to better understand infectious diseases and public health challenges in Bolivia. We will be traveling to various archaeological sites important in indigenous civilizations, speak to physicians and epidemiologists in different healthcare systems, as well as interact with local healthcare practitioners trained in traditional medicine of Aymara and Quechua communities.

Pitt in Bolivia provides a window into culture and health in Latin America, which I believe is a rare opportunity to explore and learn the language and culture of a region that I have not had significant exposure to. I hope to eventually pursue the Fulbright English Teaching Award in a Latin American Country, and I believe that an introduction to Latin American culture will support my future endeavors. I am excited to start this opportunity, and I look forward to sharing my next update from Bolivia!