An Inside Look at International Travel with a Purpose

Meet Emmie Duval ‘28, a biomedical science and philosophy double major from North Conway, NH and recipient of the International Changemaker Grant. The Grant supports unique, hands-on international volunteer service experiences. 

Emmie traveled to Senegal with an interdisciplinary team of UNH students to collaborate with non-profit Full Bucket Foundation to support Daaras (boarding schools), which often lack resources and funding. Building on prior UNH student teams’ efforts, this team focused on long-term, self-sustaining solutions to help build a more sustainable agricultural system that provides consistent income, food, and employment by supporting access to farmland and connect with local agricultural experts. 

Why did you apply for the International Changemaker Grant?
I really wanted to make a meaningful difference abroad and experience another culture before graduating. Since I don't have time for a full study abroad semester, this was a great opportunity to learn and work in partnership with an organization making real, positive change in a way that lasted. I also thought it would be a great way to step out of my comfort zone, staying with a host family in a new country with only two other students from UNH is about as culturally immersed as one can get! 

Another element of importance to me was exploring how we can make the global community healthier. With my background in medicine and my goal to become a physician, it was fascinating to approach sustainability in another culture and to gain insights into how global health can be improved. Pretty much everything ties back to health—even on an agricultural trip like this one. It was awesome to see how much just farming could improve other measures like health and sanitation. At the end of the day, agriculture directly ties to nourishment and success, ensuring children can grow up healthy and thrive throughout their education. This trip reinforced my interests in global medicine and gave me a perspective on community-centered health initiatives that I’ll take with me into my future practice and career.

How did the experience impact you? What did you learn?

It made me truly realize how deeply sustainability is integrated with overall health and success. Before this trip, I hadn’t fully connected how something as fundamental as local farming, crop generation, and financial stability directly drives health outcomes. It was eye-opening to see how much an individual's environment shapes their ability to learn, grow, and thrive, and it gave me a whole new perspective on education in a global context. Seeing the resource constraints many of these students navigate daily was tough, but seeing their strength, focus, and joy in their education was really inspiring. This experience reinforced that access to basic health, proper nutrition, and a supportive environment should be a standard for every child, everywhere, and I strongly believe in doing my part to achieve that. Ultimately, the trip strengthened my passion for global health and deepened my commitment to working toward sustainable, community-focused change as a future physician.

What was it like working with students from other majors/programs of study?

It was really fascinating because it was remarkable to see how much expertise Sezar, an accounting major, had in tracking our budget and managing expenses along the way. It was amazing to see how much knowledge David had when it came to soil and sustainable farming. I really loved seeing how their expertise brought the project to life; doing all of that alone would have been almost impossible, but with their help, it felt so manageable.

How did this experience prepare you for a career that prioritizes sustainable social and environmental good?

It enlightened me to what health looks like in other countries. The Westernized idea of health that I'm so used to in America and the disparities that exist here are certainly important, but it was incredibly valuable to understand the unique health impacts and challenges that exist internationally. Having a global understanding of the different obstacles communities face regarding health, sanitation, and safety was crucial to my perspective on community focused medicine as a whole. I am deeply grateful for the insight and understanding this experience provided.

What should other students know about this experience?

Be prepared to go to another country with an open mind and an open heart, ready to fall absolutely in love with the culture. There is so much to learn from the people and the daily life you will experience, and going in ready to learn and grow, in addition to being able to implement your expertise, is the best way to approach the International Changemakers Grant. It is highly impactful, and I highly recommend applying and participating if you have the opportunity!

Tell us one unique or interesting thing about yourself.

I am a really fast reader; I was able to read three sizable books just during plane rides and bus travel while on my trip!