Meet Our Students - Crystal Costa - First Gen Student and Future Change Maker
Major: Public Health
Are you a first-generation college student? Yes
Why did you pick UTEP?
I chose UTEP, and more specifically the Master’s in Public Health (MPH) degree program for its low- student- to faculty ratio. I wanted to get more individualized support for my master’s and learn from mentors with strong academic and diverse research backgrounds.
What sparked your interest in public health?
I always had interest in public health, but like others, and I would even dare say most students, my interests vary widely. Some days I wanted to immerse myself in research, other times I wanted to be out doing field work, and yet other times I still wasn’t sure. It was not until I volunteered abroad that I became fully inspired to pursue public health. The exposure I had overseas allowed me to view the world from a different angle and helped me realize that public health is what I want to be doing at the present moment. Before I can empower others on health-related issues, I must first empower myself.
Tell us about one of the most memorable experiences you had while serving in the Peace Corps.
As part of the Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) initiative, I was able to recruit a few girls from the village I was living in at the time and take them with me to a national week-long camp in the capital, about a 16 to 22-hour bus drive going one way in very tough terrain. This camp was many firsts for us. I say us because it was the first time I had been entrusted by parents with the lives of their girls and I became part of a large gender equity movement in a country different from my own. For the girls, it was the first time they had ever left their village and ventured out to explore their beautiful native country. It was also the first time they got to interact with other girls from various tribes but most importantly, it was the first time they got to collectively think beyond gender roles, leadership development, professional and personal growth and empower one another.
What are your career aspirations?
I would like to work on cancer research and prevention. It is alarming to see the staggering statistics on cancer morbidity, incidence and mortality afflicting people worldwide and here in El Paso, TX. There is a need for more cancer research among Hispanics living along the border in order to better serve this population.
What advice would you give to a student thinking about serving in the Peace Corps?
Have an adventurous spirit. They don’t refer to it as the “toughest job you’ll ever love” for no reason. Do your research and try to connect with Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) so they can share with you their fascinating yet real stories and experiences. Be opened minded, expect to meet wonderful people, and prepare for a journey of a lifetime. You will learn a lot.
What advice would you give to a student thinking about studying public health?
Public health encompasses a broad range of possibilities. You can do health education, health promotion, disease prevention, even health related policy while working to take on some of the world’s most serious issues like finding innovative ways to deliver clean water or stopping the spread of infectious disease(s). It will allow you to work in collaboration with a community, multiple disciplines, and other partnerships. If you have varied interests, enjoy science, or like the idea of having impact at the population level, perhaps you may want to consider public health. It is almost quite limitless.
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For more information about volunteering with the Peace Corps, please visit the UTEP Peace Corps’ website at: https://www.utep.edu/peacecorps/.
