My practicum site was the village of Palapye in Botswana, Africa. I worked with people affected by the HIV-AIDS epidemic and performed a variety of service related tasks. My site supervisor was Kelly Woody, who was an acquaintance of mine who had spent two years in the village, and she invited me to work with her when she organized this trip to return.
My group performed a range of tasks while we were in Botswana. We worked with individuals who were infected with HIV and their families, took part in an HIV-AIDS prevention and awareness program, visited the Tebelopele clinic (this will be discussed in further detail), and I interviewed local residents to gain a deeper understanding of the direct impact of this disease on normal people and the cultural aspects which contribute to the high prevalence of HIV-AIDS. Through these tasks, I clearly saw science that I had been learning about in action. Through the rapid transmission and physical impact of the disease, I saw the concepts of virology I had been learning in practice in the real world. This retrovirus would lytically reproduce through reverse transcriptase in the infected individual and then be passed on to new victims. The effects of the virus were also visible in infected individuals. The most visible signs were Kaposi’s sarcoma (sores) and coughing (resulting from TB infections), along with numerous other symptoms not so easily seen. I experienced the practical application of science through discussing treatment with infected individuals, testing individuals for the virus, and learning about the available treatments which could slow the impact of this fatal disease. The residents of Palapye learned about some of the science of the retrovirus through our presentations and in conversation, and it was really interesting to see them begin to understand. It was also exciting to see applied science in practice. Treatments that are now being given to infected Batswana people were once part of meticulous study in a laboratory. Laboratory breakthroughs are being applied to solving real world problems and helping real people who happen to live a world away. At Tebelopele, people were tested for the virus, and they used many of the same laboratory techniques that I have learned in my experience to test the status of potentially diseased individuals. It is encouraging for me to see the pure and applied research pursuits of many individuals finding a real world application that actually helps people and improves their lives.
This experience has impacted me in a variety of ways. I have seen the field that I decided to pursue long ago having a direct application to solving problems that people face. This experience has encouraged me in knowing that I have selected a field that I care deeply about. It may even impact the direction I elect to pursue in my research career. I am now interested in applied research, when, before, I was far more interested in pure scientific study. Until this venture, I had determined that I never wanted to be involved in the medical field, and, as a result of this experience, that is now an option I may more seriously consider. In the remainder of my time at UMCP, it will be interesting to see which direction I decide to take in my studies and my career. Currently, I am still majoring Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics and double majoring in History, and, no matter which career path I choose, my field of study is paving the way for me to follow which of those two career paths I am attracted toward. My scientific coursework will remain about the same, but I am considering making Continental Africa my historical concentration and am currently completing coursework in this concentration as a result of my experience in Botswana. This has been a beneficial experience that will, indeed, impact my overall decision on which direction I go, and, even if I pursue research as I had originally planned, my research interests will be affected.