Rotary International District 1180
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Home | Ambassadorial Scholars | Ambassadorial Scholar Alyson Lofthouse to study at LSTM
My name is Alyson Lofthouse and will in January 2013 begin my studies at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the field of humanitarian health.
As an undergraduate student at the University of Iowa, I studied Geography, Latin American Studies, and Spanish. I spent six months studying in Heredia, Costa Rica, and three months in Oaxaca, Mexico. Upon graduation I spent one year living and teaching in Guanajuato, Mexico. My time abroad contributed to my ability to speak Spanish fluently while increasing my social consciousness, as Latin American society operates differently from that to which I am accustomed here.
In the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to work within a program of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The experience provided greater insight into the process by which global decision making and the partnering of various sectors of society can effect positive change. Additionally, it contributed to my obtainment of a master’s degree in urban planning and policy with a specialization in international development from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
In my current role as the Associate Director of Global Health Programs I work in collaboration with colleagues to improve health around the globe. For example, in March of 2011 I spent two weeks in an internally displaced persons camp of 22,000 people in Carrefour, Haiti. During this time we conducted over 200 settlement surveys, 25 key informant interviews, community mapping, and focus groups to better ascertain the greatest health needs of the community.
In addition to academics, two personal experiences have greatly inspired my interest to enter the humanitarian and development arena. When I was eighteen years of age, my parents adopted a thirteen year old boy, Karl, from the inner City of Chicago. Witnessing first-hand the daily struggles he faced prompted my will to seek alternative solutions. Several years later, my parents took a male Sudanese refugee under their wing. This “Lost Boy of Sudan” provided me with an immeasurable amount of insight into the trials and tribulations of victims of strife globally. Today, both males continue to serve as my inspiration to actively contribute to humanitarian affairs both domestically and internationally.
In my spare time I enjoy travelling, seeing/playing/listening to music, reading, cooking and the great outdoors.
Should your Club wish Alyson to make a presentation please contact:
David Barton email: d.c.barton@btinternet.com or Jill Mackeen email jill.mackeen@btopenworld.com
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