As a Jamaican international student and an aspiring maternal health equity advocate, Patrice brings both lived experience and academic excellence to her work in public health. A senior at the University of North Florida majoring in Public Health with a minor in Global Health, Patrice applied for the Ambassador Marilyn McAfee Study Abroad Scholarship with a clear mission: to deepen her understanding of racial and maternal health disparities in a global context. Her prior research, including a capstone project titled “Deadly Disparities and Maternal Mortality: Addressing Discrimination Against African American Women in 21st Century Obstetrics,” presented at the 2024 Southern Regional Honors Council Conference, revealed her passion for equity-driven public health. She hoped to expand her research interests internationally.
The opportunity to do so came through HSC 4931: Social Determinants of Health in Kenya, a Spring course at UNF that culminated in a one-week immersive study abroad experience in Nairobi. Building on her long-standing interest in maternal health, Patrice embraced the trip not as a résumé-builder, but as a deeply personal and professional milestone. “As an international student, I understand that differences in culture can serve as either bridges or barriers,” she said. “The structure we build depends on our willingness to learn.”
Alongside visits to iconic sites such as Nairobi National Park and the Giraffe Center, the group engaged with leading NGOs such as Save the Children and SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Communities), which emphasized the course’s focus on public health and saving lives across the globe. Academically, Patrice focused intently on her final project, a literature review about maternal health disparities among pastoralist women in Kenya. Her research explores how geographic, cultural, and systemic barriers – such as distance to healthcare facilities and traditional birthing practices – can lead to detrimental effects on maternal health outcomes in rural Kenya.
This experience, as study abroad programs tend to do, sharpened Patrice’s professional focus beyond the classroom. Alongside exploring her existing passion for global and maternal health equity, she was able to articulate her goals in real-world conversations with NGO staff and business leaders. Interactions with business students on the trip also sparked a new interest in the financial side of global health, opening the door to future studies in business or even an MBA.
On a personal level, the journey was simultaneously grounding and inspiring. Originally from Jamaica, Patrice found joy in discovering unexpected cultural connections between Kenya and her home, including shared music and fashion and familiar drinks like sorrel. Reflecting on these resonances, she began to think more intentionally about how to bring her experiences full circle.
“It has made me consider how I can use the skills gained through my degree – and this trip – to improve maternal health outcomes in Jamaica,” she shared. The trip not only broadened her global perspective but reaffirmed her desire to give back to her own community.
Despite the grueling 24-hour journey and sleepless flights, Patrice cherished the lively conversations she had with fellow students, local vloggers, Uber drivers, and new friends who welcomed her with kindness and hospitality. Reflecting on the African philosophy of Ubuntu, roughly translating to “I am because we are,” she described the trip as a much-needed reminder of her love for people and the power of human connection.
Patrice’s transformative journey was in large part sponsored by The Ambassador Marilyn McAfee Study Abroad Scholarship, which honors the legacy of Ambassador Marilyn McAfee, a distinguished diplomat and former Chairman of the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville. The scholarship was created to reduce financial barriers for students with strong academic promise and a demonstrated interest in international engagement. By supporting high-impact global learning experiences, the scholarship aims to shape informed, compassionate, and globally-minded citizens like Patrice, whose journey reflects both the personal and professional transformation that the scholarship is designed to make possible.
To the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, Patrice offers her heartfelt gratitude: “Asante sana! This trip changed my life in countless little ways. And to any student who thinks they don’t stand a chance, apply anyway! You truly have nothing to lose.”
To learn more about the Ambassador Marilyn McAfee Scholarship and ways to support our education programming, please click here.
