Hello class of ENG215:). My name is Darien and I am a Global Health Junior. I recently transferred from Florida State University as a Biology major and am thrilled to be here; ASU is a much more open and friendly institution filled with incredible opportunities for research and travel.
I am studying to become a general physician with a specialty in either Infectious Disease or Parisitology. I wish to work in underserved areas in Arizona (public hospitals/clinics) and in third world countries; particularly in Latin America. I am especially interested in working for an organization called Partners In Health which provides free services for those in need. They also retain a particular focus on Tuberculosis control (of which I am fascinated by). They were a large part of the aid effort in Haiti – you should check out their website! www.PIH.org
This summer I spent 8 weeks in Central America; 6 in Guatemala participating in a Medical Anthropology Internship and 2 in Costa Rica. Traveling is one of my most loved activities. For my freshman year of university I lived in the Republic of Panama and worked in an oncological Hospital. I have also spent many summers in Costa Rica studying Spanish and sea turtles.
I am still a kid; I love board games and being silly. My favorite time of the day (other than HPA lab) is when I see the kids at my work; acting silly with them is very freeing. I have labor-intensive goals and I want to achieve them to my very core, but I firmly believe that it is the journey, not the destination that is paramount and I try to live my life as such.
Hi Darien! It's really nice to half-way meet you. Through your self-introduction it became very obvious to me that you are highly motivated and I highly admire that.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma also has Celiac's so I know what torture you are going through. Doctors think that I may also have Celiac, but I'm sure you know what a process it is to get diagnosed. Years ago, I had all of the tests done AFTER they put me on the diet for 2 months so apparently all of the physical symptoms were gone.
I look forward to communicating with you throughout the semester through our blogs. It seems like we have quite a bit in common!
Haha yeah that wasn't very wise of the doctors. I actually only completed the elimination diet and went by how I felt. My grandparents on my mom's side are both Celiacs so I figured I mostly likely had it since my mum did. Years ago it was awful, but now with Sprouts and Trader Joes I get to eat cookies! :D
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should try again:) I feel like an entirely new person since I begain the Celiac diet (I was a ridiculously sickly child). Perhaps at some point we can go check out the gluten-free bakery in Tempe! It's supposed to be close to campus...I have yet to find it. I hope this semester treats you well and I look forward to learning more about you!