Health Administration and Policy Program: Alumni

UMBC INTERNATIONAL FIELD RESEARCH ALUMNI

All Alumni information posted is done at the request and/or permission of the individual
Email addresses will be posted when directed by the individual
Please contact cat@umbc.edu with any postings or suggestions

Kacie Smith recipient of the Provost Undergraduate Research Award for research in Switzerland! Congradulations Kacie!
Switzerland 2007

Sara Padula (Switzerland 2007)
Sara is working on her MA in Applied Sociology, hoping to graduate in December 2008.
Program Comments: The program was wonderful for me, allowing me to experience an entirely different culture.
Some things really must be experienced first-hand.
Posted 11/07
Elena Consoli (Switzerland 2007)
Elena is currently pursuing an MA in Film Studies at Southampton University in England.
After completion of the 12 month course she will hopefully be pursuing a career in the arts.
Program Comments: “I feel that this experience has prepared me for my graduate program and my future career”.
11/07
Joy Lett (Italy 2007)
I am currently a Masters student, planning to graduate in December 2007.
Upon graduation I look forward to entering into the workforce, hopefully in the field of gerontology.
My experience: There aren't any words spectacular enough to completely express how much I learned
while studying Stroke Rehabilitation in Italy. It was an amazing experience and truly life changing!
11/07
Andrea Stronski (Switzerland 2007)
Andrea is currently working on her MA in Applied Sociology. She is also working as a TA for the Sociology
Department. She plans to graduate December 2007. Good luck and best wishes to Andrea!
Program Comments: “It has allowed me to grow as an individual and has really opened my eyes
to new ways of thinking”.
Posted 11/2007
Tehmina Choudhry (Switzerland 2007)
Tehmina "Mina" is currently an anticipating HAPP graduate for Decemeber 2007. She is also completing her required
internship at MedStar Physician Partners. Good luck and best wishes to Mina!
Program Comments: “This program is the highlight of my time at UMBC and will be an
attractive addition to my resume as I prepare to finish my degree”.
Posted 11/2007
Hawa Barry (Switzerland 2006)
Hawa is currently a Health Administration and Policy Major (HAPP).
Program Comments: "The International Field Research Program has been one
of the most rewarding academic experiences for me. I learned useful research
methods for my future courses and gained a good foundation for my future career.
The trip allowed me to learn more about Swiss culture and practices while conducting
my different research exercises".
Posted 7/2006
Meg Bellmyer (Switzerland 2006)
Meg is currently a Health Administration and Policy Major (HAPP) and
anticipating graduation 2006/2007.
Program Comments: "The IFR helped me to become more cultured and worldly.
The trip also helped me research health topics I was interested in. The IFR class
made me aware of international differences".
Posted 7/2006
Sara Boynton (Switzerland 2006)
Sara has obtained a MA from UMBC. She is currently working as a Health Planning
Specialist at the Maryland AIDS Administration.
Program Comments: "The trip allowed me to gain first hand knowledge about
Swiss HIV prevention. Upon my return to the US I was able to share this
information with my coworkers. They were very impressed by the progressive
Swiss program".
Posted 7/2006
Stacey Bouchet (Switzerland 2003)
Stacey obtained a Ph.D. at UMBC. She is a Research Specialist, Family Welfare Research
Group, University of MD School of Social Work.
Program Comments: "It deepened my interest in comparative public policy and helped me
realize my passion for qualitative research. Also, overall it was a wonderful way to
experience a new country. The faculty were just wonderful (and fun!) to travel with. Simply
one of the best experiences during my tenure as a graduate student".
Posted 2/13/06
Allison Buckley (Switzerland 2006)
Congratulations to Allison completing her degree in INDS and WMST Certificate, May 2006!
Allison is currently an intern working in the Office of the Senior Vice President at the
Annie E. Casey Foundation and also a Data Research Intern at Forum for Youth
Investment.
Program Comments: "The UMBC IFR Program helped me to realize that research is possible
for any student with a commitment to learning. Previously, I viewed original research as an
opportunity for outstandingly academic students, or students that had strong connections to professors.
UMBC IFR proved me otherwise, offering myself and my classmates the opportunity to construct
our own research project, step by step. In turn, we learned much about the time, energy, and process
of moving from the creation of a research question to completing a literature review, collecting statistics,
writing a background paper, completing expert interviews, and formulating conclusions, all in the realm
of international, qualitative field research. Along the way, it was impossible not to form a bond with
our professor, especially in sharing the excitement of such an amazing learning opportunity.

As an Interdisciplinary Studies student in Global Studies, the opportunity to navigate your way
around a foreign land, learn from their people, culture, language, policies, history, and geography
is one of the best experiential learning opportunities I can think of. The program helped me to see
myself as someone that is capable and independent, a perfect way to end my college career".
Posted 7/2006
Min Chung (Switzerland 2006)
Min is a Health Administration and Policy Major anticipating graduation in Spring 2007.
Program Comments: "The program helped me confirm my interest for health policy
and helped me have a better understanding of the field. I learned a great deal by meeting
with the health coordinator of the ILO and visiting a nursing home. It helped me realize
that I wanted to continue my career in this area and possibly even continue with research
in the future. I had an incredible time and I would do it again in a heartbeat! This program
was one of the best experiences I had in my life, I thank the professors and all those involved.
I wish I could do it again!
Posted 7/2006
Melissa Dehn (France, Switzerland 2000)
Participating in the International Field Research program gave me valuable, hands-on experience in field research.
The process of completing my research as an undergrad provided me with valuable resources, personal connections,
and focus for success in my studies and for choosing my career.
Posted 12/2006

Rebecca Donnay (Portugal 2001, 2002)
Rebecca has since received a BA, MA at UMBC. Her current employment is as a Healthcare
Analyst.
Program Comments: "My desire to be involved with IFR helped cement my decision to complete
my MA. Because I completed my MA, career opportunities that I had not imagined were
opened to me. My strong interest in healthcare matters in the US and abroad remains and
I continue to use this interest to further my career. My experience with IFR was positively
life changing! I returned an inspired individual and I feel I discovered within myself
a sense of compassion, empathy, and a new appreciation for life that continues to
reinforce my career goals and choices".
Posted 1/2/06
Dana Douglas (Switzerland 2006)
Dana is currently a UMBC student and involved in the ESTEEM after-school program.
She is anticipating a degree in Information Systems May 2007.
Program Comments: "My experience in the IFR Program in Leysin, Switzerland allowed
me to explore my interest in middle school education while experiencing Swiss culture and
practicing my French. The research skills and knowledge I gained from the IFR Program,
combined with the gorgeous setting and great people that I met, made for a very enriching experience.
It was the most fun week of a research class that I've ever had!"
Posted 7/2006
Laura Evans (Switzerland 2005)
Laura obtained a BA in Sociology from UMBC and is currently in the Sociology MA program.
She is a GRA at the Center for Health Program Development and Management at UMBC.
Program Comments: "IFR program really helped me to see and learn research methods in
action; exposure to students of different educational levels and pursuits helped encourage
me to feel that I would like to pursue a Ph.D. Loved Switzerland, will definitely return"!
Posted 12/05
Debra Gillespie (Switzerland 2003, Denmark 2004)
Debra obtained a Masters Degree at UMBC. Currently she works for CMS - Provider
Communications. She is currently looking for another job working directly with
Medicare Benefits.
Program Comments: "It was interesting to see how other countries take care of
their elderly citizens who reside in nursing/assisted living homes. I would like to be
part of the US transformation in the way we take care of our elderly. I had the best time! The
trip to Denmark was an eye opening experience to see taking better care of our elderly is
indeed possible"!
Posted 1/06
Darci Graves (Switzerland 2005)
Darci received her MA and is currently working at UMBC as a Graduate
Coordinator for Cultural and Diversity Initiatives.
Posted 12/05
Susan Hannum (Switzerland 2004)
Susan has obtained a MA in Applied Sociology at UMBC. She is currently employed
as a Research Project Interviewer at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA.
Program Comments: "The IFR program provided me with a wonderful introduction to
qualitative interviewing, which has certainly helped me in my current position at TJU.
To be able to gain experience interviewing people where there was a language barrier
streamlined my skills of effective and clear communication and helped me to better
understand the role of the interviewer in such an interaction. Also, to be able to speak
with experts in my field of interest while in Switzerland was an amazing experience that
I do not think it could have been paralleled by simply sitting in a classroom".
Posted 12/05
Jessica Hentschel (Switzerland 2005)
Jessica obtained a BA/MA from UMBC. She is currently enrolled in the UMB/UMBC
JD/Ph.D.dual degree program in Health Law and Public Policy. She is a research associate for
Institute of Community Health.
Program Comments: "After seven years of higher education, I was uncertain how to proceed
upon graduation into the "real world." When I started I had a very clear idea of what career
path I thought I wanted to pursue, but in recent years I have been less certain and less enthusiastic
about that plan. I had never considered the possibility of living or working outside of the US,
until participating in the IFR program. It was truly an eye-opening, life changing experience.
I have renewed enthusiasm and direction in my future."
Posted 12/05
Emily Junod (Switzerland 2003)
Emily graduated from UMBC with a BA Social Work and in HAPP. She is currently an intern
at Hannah More School and attending UMB to get a MSW.
Program Comments: "It gave me a solid foundation in qualitative research skills. Also
my research gave me research experience as well as an international view into
social policy".
Posted 1/06
Jennifer Lloyd (Switzerland 2004)
Jessica has since obtained a Masters in Applied Sociology at UMBC. She is the Project
Coordinator for the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity Across the Life Span at
the National Institute of Health.
Program Comments: "It was my first experience outside the US and was helpful in that I was
exposed to a different culture and way of life. When I came back I became much more
serious about school and decided to go back full time. I am now planning to go for my
Ph.D. in Sociology".
Posted 12/05
Katherine (Kate) Looram (Switzerland 2005)
Kate has obtained a degree in Psychology and Sociology. She is currently employed at an animal
hospital. Kate just returned from 7 weeks with the Red Cross helping hurricane victims in
Louisiana. She is currently considering overseas volunteering opportunities as well as full time
disaster relief positions with the Red Cross.
Program Comments: "The IfR program taught me a lot about how to conduct field research.
Without the hands on practical aspect of it, I would not have gained the information that I
did from inside the classroom reading textbooks.
Posted 1/06
Adam Kolb (Switzerland 2003)
Adam obtained a BS in Geography at UMBC (2000) and a MA in Sociology at UMBC ( 2005).
He is currently working for the Department of Defense.
Program Comments: "This program was great because of its theoretical and practical aspects.
I think the IFR class gave me the motivation to further my education by offering myself and
others a different perspective on the education experience. I recommend this class to all UMBC
students, regardless of major due to its overwhelmingly positive effects upon my education and
career path".
Posted 1/06
Evette Matthews (Switzerland 2003)
Evette has since received a BS, MA at Towson and UMBC. She is currently a Manager,
Statistical Programs at the U.S.P.S.
Program Comments: The IFR experience gave me insight into another country, first hand and
directly. It taught me how to work with people who spoke a different
language and still communicate effectively.
Posted 1/06
Christiana Metzger (Switzerland 2003)
Chrissy has obtained a MA/BA at UMBC. She is a faculty research assistant, Data
Coordinator for the National AIDS Education Training Center at the University of
Maryland, College Park.
Program Comments: "Understanding qualitative research (terminology, methods, etc.)
and the process of actually conducting qualitative analysis was a wonderful exercise
which not only helped me understand further the research process, but also introduced
me to new perspectives as I compared US and Swiss healthcare views".
Posted 12/05
Kelly Niles-Yokum (Denmark 2004)
Kelly has obtained a BS, Psych, MPA, Certificate in Gerontology at Portland State
University. She is currently at UMBC as an Erickson Gerontology Doctoral Fellow. Kelly
is involved in the following: Member of the Curriculum Development Committee for the ESAS;
Member of the State of MD Elderly Migration Task Force.
Program Comments: "Experiencing first-hand the Danish long-term care system through the
lectures, discussions, and site visits has provided me with knowledge I will carry with me
throughout my life and my career. Because of my involvement with the IFR I have had many
opportunities to present at national conferences and network with experts who focus on
international issues".
Posted 3/06
Rebecca Perron (Denmark 2005)
Rebecca obtained a BA/MPH from Middlebury College/U Mass, Amherst.
She is currently at Erickson School, GRA.
Program Comments: "This experience helped me to realize that most things are
possible with teamwork and feasible ideas. It helped me to understand
health policy from another perspective - that of another country. The
instructor was great and responsive to our questions and
needs. Students should definitely take advantage of this
opportunity. It was a fantastic experience and combined fun and
learning"!
Posted 12/05
Matthew Runyon (Switzerland 2005)
Matthew is currently working on finishing up his bachelor's degree at UMBC. He is
working as an intern for the Harford County Emergency Operations Center.
Program Comments: "This trip helped me to experience various types of field
research techniques, as well as expanding my understanding of global cultures
and social customs. I had a great time traveling with my classmates and
sharing so many exciting experiences and opportunities overseas that I am
planning on traveling with a group of friends to Europe again this summer".
Posted 1/06
Alice Rosenbloom (Switzerland 2003)
Alice obtained a BA in Biology at UMBC. Currently Alice is a research assistant at UMB,
School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Research.
Program Comments: "International research opportunity has helped me realize that there are other
areas of research other than biomedical in a laboratory. While biochemistry is important,
having participated in overseas experience has helped me better understand aspects of macro
research and gave me an interest in epidemiology which I hope to study in the next few years".
Posted 12/05
Victoria Smith (Switzerland 2005)
Vicki obtained a BA in HAPP/SOCY at UMBC. She is in the Sociology Graduate Program. She
is currently working as a TA at UMBC and at Tower Federal Credit Union.
Program Comments: "The IFR class was wonderful. It helped me decide that I like the
research and to continue on in my studies at UMBC".
Posted 1/06
John Sullivan (Switzerland 2005)
John received his BA from UMBC. He is currently working on getting his RN Degree.
Program Comments: "Helped me to appreciate different people(s) and culture(s)".
Posted 3/06
Jessie Bialek-Tighe (Switzerland 2004)
Jessie just graduated in December 2005 with a Masters in Applied Sociology from UMBC.
She is currently exploring her options.
Program Comments: "The IFR trip opened my eyes to new potentials within the realm of sociology and
anthropology. I believe that this class and trip are an excellent addition to many curriculums
and enables students to explore new pathways and ideas within their disciplines".
Marci Villa (Switzerland 2004)
Marci anticipates graduating in May 2006 with a BA in Political Science/Sociology.
Program Comments: "IFR has given me the chance to learn vital life skills that could never
be taught in a classroom. I learned how to travel on my own and with others and how to navigate
my way around a foreign country. It has given me a glimpse into what it could be like to
have a career that requires me to travel abroad; as a result I am planning on earning a
Masters in international politics and to someday have a career that involves traveling abroad".
Posted 12/05
Cindy Voss (Switzerland 2006)
Cindy obtained a BA at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. When she entered the
IFR program she was in the Applied Sociology graduate program and expects to
graduate December 2006.
Program Comments: "The visit to the Bern Needle Exchange Program and meeting with
the representative of the drug policy department was very helpful in understanding what
can be accomplished and what more the US needs to do in order to "catch up".
Posted 7/2006
Brian Ward (Scotland 2004)
Brian received a MA in Sociology at UMBC. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at
University of Maryland, College Park.
Program Comments: "IFR gave me additional research skills; allowed me to view social
phenomenon from an international perspective; networked with colleagues and other
professionals. Overall it was, simply put, an absolutely wonderful experience. It was
one of my most valued memories of my time spent in the UMBC Sociology Department.
I would do it again in a heartbeat"!
Posted 12/05