Scholar Success Stories: A Deep-Dive into Gender Studies and Public Health
While all of our students are stars in our eyes, every once in a while, we work with a scholar who stands out as especially determined and passionate about their research. We’re shining this success story spotlight on Student T, a young researcher from Shanghai.
Student T worked with her Faculty Advisor–a former Yale medical school professor–and her Teaching Assistant–a Ph.D. candidate in Developmental Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania–to study public health, human rights, ethics, and gender studies. Specifically, her research explored the factors contributing to the high teenage pregnancy rate in South Sudan and Zimbabwe. There was much to research, considering nearly half of South Sudanese girls aged 15 to 19 are victims of forced marriages, with some child brides being as young as 12.
For decades, South Sudan has been entrenched in a harsh political division that’s led to unfathomable violence, particularly against women and girls, and the displacement of millions. In recent years, however, the situation has escalated into a humanitarian crisis that’s captured the global community's attention. And Zimbabwe isn’t faring much better, with violence against women escalating since the early 1990s amidst economic and political crises.
Student T wanted to know more about these dire conditions, so she began her literature review by analyzing the women’s conditions in these countries, as well as their economies, sociodemographics, and public health strategies. She worked with her mentors to acquire first-hand data from doctors in South Sudan, plus other sources like the United Nations and the World Bank.
After exploring her sources, Student T launched discussions about South Sudanese and Zimbabwean culture, religion, gender equality, human rights, economics, socio-demographics, history, education, government policy, and more. Over time, she compiled her findings into a fascinating research paper that grew to be nearly 30 pages long, which is a staggering feat for any high school student.
Student T’s dedication to her studies earned her a letter of recommendation from her Faculty Advisor and a coveted and rare offer from the professor to be his research assistant! She also earned acceptance into the following schools:
University of California at Los Angeles
Cambridge University
The University of Southern California
Middlebury College
Colby College
Haverford College
University College London
The University of Hong Kong
McGill University
This scholar's success story is a testament to what can happen when students select a research practicum they’re passionate about and dedicate the necessary amount of time and determination to it. We’re honored to coach and mentor such dedicated young scholars and look to Student T’s story as a beacon of possibility for all the other students to come.