Natsuko Matsukawa
American University, School of International Service
MA in International Development
【Introduction】
As I successfully finished my first year as a graduate student in the International Development program at American University with a passion to contribute to global health, I’m truly grateful for the generous support of the Ito Foundation U.S.A.-FUTI Scholarship. Having achieved greater things in many aspects than I had imagined I was capable of, such as securing summer internship, and acquiring opportunity to attend a program in Tanzania and publishing my paper, I recognize the significant improvement I’ve made as well as practical knowledge and skills I earned as I pursue my career in International Development. I can confidently state that choosing this program was the best choice and I worked to the fullest of my abilities.
【Concentration/Classes】
One of my goals during my graduate study was to identify which field specifically I pursue in International Development. Through classes and assignments, conversations with professors and classmates, conferences during the first semester, I set my mind to concentrate on Global Health. Particularly, my experiences with NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases = Chronic illnesses) fueled my passion for addressing health inequities and the growing burden of NCDs in developing countries using medical anthropology. NCDs are long-term health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, influenced by lifestyle, genetics, and environment. Given their rising prevalence in developing countries, tackling NCDs is crucial to achieving sustainable health solutions.
In addition to the Global Health concentration in the program, I applied and was accepted to the Health and Culture Certificate program which requires taking classes from multiple departments/disciplines including International Service, anthropology, and epidemiology. During the first semester, I chose global health themes for paper assignments including Economic effect of NCDs on Low- and Middle-income countries (LMICs) and colonial effect and global interventions to Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The second paper about HAT was chosen for publication and it will be published in a few weeks from the university. After deepening my understanding in International Development through courses (International Development, Power and Practice in Development, and Introduction to Economic Theory), during the spring semester, I took courses in global health (Design Thinking Public Health, Program Planning in Global Health, Neoliberal Globalization and Health). Those courses sharpened my specialty in Global Health and gave me not only different perspectives and approaches but also practical knowledge and skills in the field. During the spring semester, I applied for and was selected to participate in the Qualitative Health Evaluation Research program in Tanzania this summer conducted by my school. I felt so lucky to be in an environment where I can study with professors and classmates who share the same passion and interest and have many experiences in the field. This fieldwork would provide unparalleled opportunity to gain practical skills and hands-on experience in Global Health particularly related to HIV in clinics and communities. Additionally, I received a certificate of SPI-AP (Social Project Institute Agility Practitioner) through a practical skill course showing my program planning and implementation abilities with effectiveness in limited time through methodology.
【Classes/English】
Having to use English in a graduate level including extensive readings/assignments and active participation with classmates many of whom have field experiences, I had no confidence at first in keeping up with classes and classmates and getting good grades. However, through consistent effort and a commitment to excellence, I was able to handle classes, assignments, and exams more smoothly than I had anticipated. Despite having to adapt quickly to the new academic environment, I have established an effective study routine and strategies for taking notes, preparing for classes, and managing assignments and I also refined my time management and organizational skills, focusing on starting tasks early and maintaining high-quality output. For areas where I initially lacked confidence, like presentations and class discussions, I set personal goals such as stating my opinion once per class at least and leading group work and discussions, actively pushing my comfort zone. Emphasis on group projects in classes let me apply theoretical knowledge to real world scenarios and enhances my leadership, teamwork, and intercultural communication skills. As a result, in several courses, some of my papers received the highest evaluations among classmates, with many achieving perfect or near-perfect scores.
In terms of English, I focused on improving my speaking, listening, and academic writing skills. Initially, I found some lectures challenging to follow, but consistent effort in each class improved my comprehension over time. I developed a habit of quickly looking up unfamiliar words, participating more actively in discussions, presentations, and group work, overcoming the fear of making mistakes. For writing, I completed several research papers, refining my ability to structure ideas and present arguments clearly. Regular feedback from professors helped me identify and address weaknesses, making my writing more precise and impactful.
【Work/Career】
I had an amazing opportunity to work for a professor as a teaching assistant/research assistant. My responsibilities included managing his classes, rebuilding his website, and conducting research on pineapple/banana plantation in Costa Rica, through which I learned new skills of web design and content creation and improved academic research skills. I was also able to contribute to panel discussion event planning and assisting. I was recognized for my problem-solving skills and delivering results that exceeded the expectations set by the professor. Additionally, I sought opportunities by myself and was allowed to start working as a research assistant for a different professor at the Immigration Lab at American University. For this role, I edited drafts of his book on Hispanic health disparities and social determinants of health, which further hone my research skills.
In terms of Career development, studying in Washington, D.C., home to many leading International Development and Global Health organizations, enables me to actively connect with alumni, mentors, and experts through networking and international conferences. I applied and got accepted to a mentorship program between current students and alumni who have experiences in the same field. With the help of my amazing mentor, I was able to secure an internship for this summer in International Development particularly Global Health, despite navigating a completely new internship/job system and the very difficult situation in the field in the US right now. I had a privilege of attending the CHCI Leadership Conference hosted by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and World Bank/IMF Annual Meeting in the Fall and Spring. It was a profound honor to witness the discussions and the gathering of individuals who share a common passion, giving me profound insights and understanding of trends in the field. I participated in other career development events and academic sessions offered by the university and took assistance from faculty and staff who are dedicated to support students academically and professionally.
【Violin】
With my continuing passion to music, I decided to play the violin, which I have been playing since I was six years old, in the U.S. as well. I passed the auditions and was allowed to join an ensemble and receive private lessons with a faculty from the university’s music department. This allowed me to play solo in the hall multiple times and with other members, which was highly recognized by the faculties, luckily. Balancing my studies with music was challenging, but it allowed me to not only improve my skills significantly but also improve my leadership and communication skills, and most significantly, my confidence, through leading practices with my ensemble members. It has been a wonderful opportunity to make music together and connect with people here through music despite different backgrounds.
【Acknowledgement】
As I complete my first year as a graduate student at American University, I believe that I truly couldn’t have found a better place to pursue my goal. I am looking forward to the upcoming academic year, aiming to further leverage my strengths and skills/knowledge and address the new challenges I uncovered this year.
Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Ito Foundation and the FUTI scholarship for making this endeavor possible. Without this generous support, I would not have been able to take this important step toward achieving my goals. I will continue to dedicate myself fully to my academic and personal growth to achieve my goal of contributing to Global Health in the field of International Development.
