Sage Corps is thrilled to spotlight an alumnus of our career accelerator, Maryama Diaw. She dives into her passion for global health, her time interning abroad in Hong Kong, and how it led her to where she is today! Maryama, a recent graduate of Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, shares how her interests shaped her experience during her international internship.
1. Tell us a little about yourself
I’m a native New Yorker with an interest in global health systems and anything that has to do with development in sub-Saharan Africa. I love working with passionate people from across the African diaspora who are working with those on the ground to create change. I recently just graduated with my Master’s in Public Health and my research interests include adolescent health and wellbeing, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases in low and middle-income countries.
2. How and when did your passion for global health start?
My passion for global health began in middle school when I was able to participate in our school’s Model United Nations club. We were able to sit inside of the United Nations General Assembly and I remember feeling so small inside of that great room where so many talented minds have spent time in. I knew at that moment that I’d want to pursue international development work in some capacity and that’s when my path led me to global health.
3. What was your experience with Sage Corps like?
My experience with Sage Corps taught me to always advocate for myself in the spaces that I occupy. I had the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong, something I never planned for myself. My internship experience was largely shaped by what I was interested in learning more about, which allowed me to bring forward my passion for equity and social responsibility into the marketing plans of a data-mining company.
4. How has that experience led you to where you are today in your career?
Being able to work in Hong Kong as a college student reinforced to me that there’s so much to see outside of America! It’s definitely helped me to realize that working in other countries is important to me, and my career as a public health professional allows me to do just that.
5. As a recent graduate of Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, what is the biggest lesson you have learned over the past two years?
I’ve learned that case studies can and will happen and preparation is the best form of defense. I vividly remember sitting in class learning about COVID-19 as an example of a disease outbreak right before the world shut down. As we learned in our courses, you can never be too prepared and it takes a coordinated response to effectively and equitably address public health concerns.
6. At your current organization, the Foundation for a Healthier Senegal, what ways are you working to better public health?
At the Foundation for a Healthier Senegal (FOHSEN), we’re working to improve the way people interact with health systems in rural areas. We’re youth-run and as a public health enthusiast, I love the work that we’re doing in Senegal, which is where my family is from! We’re working to significantly decrease birth-related fatalities by building capacity for prenatal care, newborn care, and family planning. 68% of rural households in Senegal don’t have access to a health clinic and I personally have family members who put off health treatment due to facilities being too far away. At the moment, we’re raising money for a needed maternity clinic that we’re building in Nganda, Senegal (women in the area often give birth at home). We also have a Community Health Workers program that utilizes the power of the community to meet the health needs of the community.
7. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Please consider supporting FOHSEN! We’re always looking for volunteers as well as learning more about possible organizations that would be able to support our mission.
Our programs offer transformative international internships to a variety of majors. Students return home with the unparalleled global experience that positions them ahead in a competitive job market. Interested in getting started? You can start a free application here!
