Career Corner: A Chat with Kyra Miller, MPH and Aspiring Nurse

I am very pleased to introduce you to Kyra Miller. Kyra and I met as students at Hampton University in Spanish class freshman year and have been great friends ever since. Kyra studied biology at Hampton University and later earned a Masters in Public Health from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Most recently Kyra is a nursing student in an accelerated program at Duke University. Kyra loves helping others and took the opportunity to help others while studying abroad.

1. Where did you study abroad?

I studied abroad in Kingston Jamaica

2. When did you study abroad and how long did you stay?

I studied In August of 2013 and stayed for two weeks.

3. What was your sole purpose for studying abroad? Did you accomplish that purpose?

I'm a nursing student and we have a community health nursing course. The purpose of this trip was to complete the community health clinical. On this trip we were able to have clinical experiences in the public health clinics throughout the city. 

4. Were you initially excited and ready to go or were there any fears or reservations? If so what were they and how did you overcome? If not what expectations ignited your excitement?

Honestly I was in summer school during an intense semester before the trip so I didn't have time to think about the trip. I packed after my final the day before the flight departed. I had no reservations. I like traveling and was in no way intimidated by the site. I did get extremely excited once I was in the airport and it finally felt "real" 

5. What was your experience like studying abroad?

My experience was great. I was able to get an insider view of their health system and how it functioned at the community level. I saw so many things that so far I had not seen during my clinical experiences in the states. It was also just eye opening to see this developing nation do so much with such limited resources. During my experience we were divided into groups and rotated through three different clinics. We did this because although it is the same city, each clinic had a different type of population, was run slightly different, and had an entirely different feel. 

6. How has studying abroad changed your life? You as a person?

This experience really reignited my interest in public health. I previously received an MPH (master of public health degree) but over time just lost any zeal for that area. Seeing what the public health nurses do and all the hats they wear and how involved they are with the community was really inspiring. 

This trip also gave me a peek at abject poverty and was very humbling. I'll always remember some of the things I saw. 

7. Are you bilingual or multilingual? If so what languages do you speak? 

I am only able to speak English, which is Jamaica's language. Patwa is also spoken, but I don't know it. 

8. How has studying abroad impacted you career path and outlook?  

It has piqued  an interest in working abroad. It has also given me an interest in public health nursing, that I wasn't very sure about before.

8a. What is your current position and what does your position entail?

My current position is that of student. 

8b. Is there an international aspect to your position?

            There isn't right now, but in the future I would very much like to have opportunities to go        abroad for work, even if only small medical mission trips to developing countries. 

9. What characteristics does one pursue a position such as yours?

I would say determined, tenacious, a passion for helping others. Nursing school is a beast. 

10. Do you have any advice for others who want to study abroad?

I would say, one, to take the opportunity. I wish I'd studied abroad in undergrad. So when I had an opportunity to this time around I took advantage. 

Thank you Kyra for sharing your study abroad experience! If you have any questions for Kyra feel free to leave them in the comments and I will be sure she gets them.

Hasta el proximo vez,

KoMiSa