Prosperity U Global provides meaningful international opportunities to all majors. Read our exclusive interview to see how Emma Parkin’s experiences in Ghana influenced her journey to becoming an inspiring social worker and changemaker.
Interviewer: What inspired you to enroll in the Prosperity U Global?
Emma Parkin (EP): I was inspired to sign up for the Summer Prosperity U Global Program for two reasons.
First off, I wanted an experience that was similar to social work studies but also an opportunity to learn in different fields. I found this to be true as the experience was heavily focused on business, physical/mental health, and prosperity. Though this is not social work, there were a lot of things that we discussed and focused on that shared similar aspects and values of social work.
The second reason I enrolled in this program was because of the amazing things I had heard about it. Not only about Professor Alder but also the incredible people along the whole journey – my fellow students, community members in the various places we traveled, campus workers, and so forth. The connections established by Professor Alder allow for a once in a lifetime experience where each day was different and filled with lots of learning and adventure.
Interviewer: What was your favorite memory from the trip, and what made this particular moment special?
EP: My favorite memory from the trip was visiting the health clinic in Kpong. This small, single-story building housed more than I thought possible. It was divided into six tiny rooms: a pharmacy, exam room, family planning room, labor and delivery room, ultrasound room, and recovery room. I was absolutely amazed by the amount of work they were able to accomplish despite the limited space and resources.
While there, I had the opportunity to assist in the ultrasound room with ultrasounds for expecting mothers. It was a beautifully unique experience that I will never be able to replicate due to my lack of training in the medical field. I felt honored to participate. I also had the chance to ask the attending ultrasound technician numerous questions about pregnancy and motherhood, all of which were answered. This experience made me feel incredibly grateful for life and the journey of pregnancy that I hope to experience one day. I will never forget the hot and humid setting of this incredible day.
Interviewer: How would you describe the Prosperity U Global experience to someone who might be considering a study abroad experience?
EP: Honestly, I could go on for hours explaining the impact of this experience on me and all of the things that we did, but I will just share a couple of my highlights.
The Kpong Health Center was the favorite for me, followed by the fun and interesting weekends full of driving, safaris, swimming (and sunburns), slave castle tours, treetop walks, and good conversations. Days were filled with good meals, movie and game nights, bead making from glass bottles, reading (both for the program and casually), visits to towns both near and far, volleyball and soccer in the rain, conferences, smiling community members, and gorgeous sunsets.
This experience impacted me socially as I was able to make connections with people from all around the world – whether it was the Ensign Global College team or Queen Mother or my fellow students. It was just what I needed in my life, and I have no regrets doing it. If you are considering it … GO!
Interviewer: Was there anyone in particular that impacted your Prosperity U Global experience?
EP: My group leader, Stephanie Dutson, was an immediate comfort from the moment I met her at the airport. She made me feel at home with her bright and welcoming smile. Although I never wish food allergies on anyone, it was something we both shared, and she made the food journey much easier by helping me prepare and ensuring my needs were communicated to the kitchen.
She was also the easiest person to talk to, which made the long drives go by faster. I am incredibly grateful to have met such an amazing person and to now call her a friend, even though the study abroad program has ended. At the end of the day, that is all you can ask for.
Interviewer: What was the most interesting thing you discovered during the trip?
EP: It was fascinating to see in depth how different countries and cultures operate. Throughout the trip, my passion for experiencing and learning new things grew. I loved witnessing firsthand how people depend on weekly markets, their regular customers, and occasional tourists like me.
It was surprising to see that there is no sense of time urgency for people there, which is different from what I am used to. Visiting various hospital clinics and observing how they manage with limited technology and resources was eye-opening. I admired their innovation and creativity in making the most of what they had. I hope to continue traveling, visiting different countries, and learning more about people’s cultures and how they compare to what I am accustomed to
Interviewer: Is there a funny story that happened among the group that you would like to share?
EP: There were many funny moments among the group, but my favorite was our journey on the public transport (tro-tro), which is essentially an old 12-passenger van where people are crammed. We traveled to a town that was 5 miles away, but it took over 2 hours to get there because of the bumpy roads. The drive was even better than Disneyland’s Indiana Jones ride!
We visited the first town and did a check-in for our project before heading to the second area, where we got stuck on a hill. We were told to get out of the van while the driver tried for 20 minutes to maneuver his way up the hill. We were all laughing as it just wasn’t working. A goat walked by, and I tried to mimic it, making everyone think we were going to get chased by it. This lightened the mood before we returned to campus, unable to make it up the hill. I’m glad to say we made it back safely with funny memories.
Interviewer: Tell us about the coursework and project you did in Ghana?
EP: As the program was through the University of Utah’s Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity, we read two books about leadership and how to combine venture and mission. Both readings were very informative and applied to our project in Ghana.
We worked with a group called Health 2 Go, which aims to bring basic healthcare needs to rural areas, focusing specifically on the health of children ages 0-5. Our final project was to create a low-cost birth kit for mothers and their newborns during labor, delivery, and recovery. It was an amazing experience to be part of this task and brainstorm how we could best make it work. We went into town and collaborated with community members to create a prototype of these kits.
After collecting the items and assembling the kits, we brainstormed how to make them a reality, as it is a barrier for expecting women who cannot afford these basic needs for an attended birth. Increasing the number of attended births will help decrease the under-5 mortality rate.
Interviewer: Did this course/experience inspire you to be a changemaker?
EP: Absolutely, 100%. I have always wanted to be a positive influence in people’s lives, and this experience only increased that desire. Having had many changemakers in my life, I want to pay it forward to those I come in contact with.
Interviewer: How will you use what you learned during this experience in the future?
EP: In the future, I will continue to be adventurous in learning about other countries and cultures, as I did in Ghana. I also want to be innovative and always contribute my ideas while continuing to listen to others to reach a common goal.
Interviewer: Would you recommend this experience to other students?
EP: I would immediately say, DO IT! Take a risk and push yourself to explore the world with such an amazing program because you will not regret it. The program offers incredible and life-changing experiences! Sign up and GO!