Hi! I'm Sydney Wright

Improving the welfare of communities in disadvantaged situations is a long-time passion of mine. Seven summers ago, I flew with my dad and sister to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on my first of six total medical mission trips to the country. That visit was the first time I was with a cultural majority that was both culturally and economically different from me. When I returned home, however, I continued to interact with people who were generally like-minded. My cultural awareness had increased, but I thought that issues such as lack of food and medicine only existed in “third-world” locations. When the COVID-19 pandemic reached my hometown, I quickly realized that was not the case. Families living just a few miles from my house were impacted by the sudden business and government closures. When volunteering with a local church to distribute food, I truly recognized that people in any community can be placed in circumstances that require them to reach out for help. Globally, there are many families and individuals who have limited access to medical resources, including entire marginalized communities that face inequality to healthcare access. By majoring in Language and International Health at Clemson, I continued to pursue my passion for improving lives locally and internationally by raising awareness for the need of medical accessibility and equity. In college, I learned that there is a significant need for the humanities to coexist alongside math and science curriculums. By becoming fluent in a second language, I am able to communicate with a much broader population. My major classes have allowed me to study health science as well as humanities-centered courses. In addition to classes such as anatomy and physiology, human health and disease, and epidemiology, I have taken language courses that have improved my Spanish skills and knowledge of Latin American literature and culture. My minor in human nutrition has broadened my knowledge of nutrition-related diseases and food accessibility on both the individual and community level.  Additionally, my interest, work experience, and volunteer experience in agriculture and outdoor recreation have opened doors for me to learn more about environmental safety, agricultural sustainability, and rural health. I worked for Clemson Outdoor Recreation as a climbing wall specialist for three semesters and as a Teaching Assistant for a beginner top rope course for two semesters. Through working in these positions, I discovered a love for climbing and the outdoors, including sustainability. When I went to Puerto Rico to volunteer on a small organic farm (“finca”) in 2023, I  began to understand the connections between sustainability and agricultural practices. During my study abroad semester in college, I was able to participate in an internship that tied together my interests in food production, sustainability and nutrition. The municipality where my internship was located was in a rural part of Ecuador, north of Quito. The mountainous terrain and isolation made it difficult to import food, so most of the available meat and produce was local. I worked on several projects that focused on agroecology, a practice that is inspired by indigenous Andean groups. I was able to combine aspects of environmental sustainability, crop diversity, and nutrition promotion to plan community gardens and educational programs. I hope to apply these practices to my future career in rural health, as communities in Appalachia experience many of the same conditions and nutritional issues as Andean communities. Recognizing cultural diversity and similarities is essential when working in a global context.  After graduation, I hope to pursue a master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition or rural Public Health. I am looking forward to working in a career in Community Nutrition or long-term planning for disaster or crisis relief that aligns with my values. Working with unpredictable situations in humanities-centered healthcare will require flexibility and adaptability. Community work and education is hard work, especially in areas where resources are scarce. However, I strive to work in a field that I am passionate about so I will continue to be motivated to work hard. Working in a challenging field like community health can increase stress. However, I strive to maintain my physical and mental health so I am prepared to adapt to serious situations and work in my community to the best of my ability. Finally, I believe that the most impactful changes can be made at the local level by people who are invested in their community. I hope to help bring resources to those who need it, whether it is a temporary or permanent issue. Updated Fall 2024