When Amelia Miller learned about the Prosperity U experience over two years ago, she immediately wanted to become involved. As an Operations and Supply Chain major and Environmental and Sustainability minor, this passionate student was initially intrigued by the organization’s mission of improving health and socioeconomic well-being, and over the past few years, Amelia has become a member of Prosperity U Student Advisory Board and a Prosperity Science Intern for the Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity. Through this summer’s Prosperity U Global experience, Amelia had the opportunity to make an impact in Ghanaian communities with the Health 2 Go Program.
Discover more about Amelia’s changemaker journey in our exclusive interview.
Interviewer: What inspired you to enroll in Prosperity U Global for summer 2024?
Amelia Miller (AM): Over the past few years, I have come to love getting involved with my community and engaging with a variety of communities through international service programs. I knew that I wanted to find something at the college level that would immerse me in a new culture and provide the chance to connect with communities abroad. So, when I first heard about the Ghana program, I knew that would be a great fit for me.
Interviewer: How would you describe this experience to someone who might be considering a study abroad experience?
AM: I would describe it as a unique opportunity to deeply understand a place, far beyond what other abroad programs might offer. In Ghana, participants have the chance to closely interact with the healthcare system, tourism industry, marketplaces, rural communities, and local businesses.
After experiencing how each of these entities functions, I feel I have gained a well-rounded view of the nation. I’ve had several unforgettable conversations with people I would never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to travel in an impactful and meaningful way
Interviewer: What was your favorite memory from the trip, and what made this particular moment special?
AM: One moment I found to be really special was when our group had the opportunity to attend the tenth annual conference to celebrate International Albinism Awareness Day. We first heard from a variety of speakers. From this we learned how Albinism is caused by a genetic disorder that makes someone’s features have little color. We also heard from a local doctor on preventative measures to be taken to prevent skin cancer and to never lose hope for the future.
Our group had the opportunity to assist with the eye exam screening after the speaker session was over. Overall, this experience was illuminating on the complexity of public health, the resiliency of the community, and the dedication of Ghanaian healthcare professionals. I’m so grateful that my group and I had the chance to attend.
Interviewer: Was there anyone in particular that impacted your Prosperity U Global experience?
AM: During our Health 2 Go community visits we had the chance to speak with a few Community Based Agents, or CBA’s. Their role is to essentially be a community bridge to other healthcare facilities. They check up on people who are having any kind of health problem to assess if the issue can be fixed in the community, or if they should be seen at a clinic. I found it inspiring to hear about the dedication they have for their community and the pride they take in what they do.
Interviewer: Is there a meaningful story that you would like to share?
AM: One day, we took a local taxi called a Tro-Tro out to a rural community for a Health 2 Go visit. We planned to visit three communities that day but only made it to one. In the middle of nowhere, we tried to ascend a steep, rocky hill in this small van. We all had to get out and watch as the van attempted several times to make it up the hill but couldn’t. At that moment, we wondered what would happen if a tire popped and we were stuck on this dirt road with no service. Eventually, the van turned around, and we headed back to Ensign Global College for the night.
This was definitely an adventure for the group. It was inspiring to see the kinds of challenges faced daily when running an operation like Health 2 Go. This experience helped me appreciate all the work the Health 2 Go team does to provide basic healthcare to rural communities.
Interviewer: Tell us about the coursework and project you did in Ghana?
AM: During our three weeks in Ghana, we immersed ourselves in various aspects of the Ghanaian healthcare system and learned about the impactful work Health 2 Go does in the communities of Kpong and Kumasi. In the evenings, back on campus, we engaged in discussions about innovation and leadership, drawing insights from two books provided at the start of our trip.
By the end of our stay, we had gained a thorough understanding of the community, which prepared us for a group project in our final week. We were tasked with assembling five birth kits, essential for ensuring safe births in clinics. This involved gathering all necessary materials and calculating the cost of each kit.
To wrap up our trip, we presented our experiences and the project to our peers. This presentation was a wonderful way to reflect on our journey and the knowledge we had gained during our short but enriching time in Ghana.
Interviewer: How did this experience make an impact on your life?
AM: Yes, the experience showed me how complex fostering change and being an innovator can be. While this can feel discouraging sometimes, I also came into contact with many people who are doing great work that has truly inspired positive change.
Overall, this trip gave me a little bit more faith in people and our dedication to uplift each other. I hope to carry with me everything that I learned from this trip and apply it to not only my academic and professional skill set, but also to my personal life. I have learned to be adaptive and positive through any situation.
I have also learned what it takes to develop as a leader and keep a leadership mindset. I would highly recommend this experience to students who want a well-rounded view of the country and the chance to push themselves to become a stronger leader and team member.