Galya Walt - Tufts University

Since the last update, I am excited to have started a Master of Public Health program at Harvard School of Public Health following a restful summer off in between my previous job and school. I just finished up my first semester and loved it so far! My coursework this semester included studying the foundations of epidemiology, public policy and theory of disease distribution. I love spending my days reading, exploring different libraries and getting to know my classmates. In addition to classes, I have been working 10 hours/week at Massachusetts General Hospital supporting a research project providing overnight infant care for parents living in residential treatment programs for substance use disorders. I have already learned so much from both the principal investigator and research participants and am so grateful to have a place to apply my interest in substance use disorders outside of the classroom. After I graduate, I hope to use my degree to work in research around harm reduction for substance use disorders. Outside of school and work, I have been enjoying the community in Cambridge I have been lucky enough to live in for the past few years and going to the mountains as much as I can! I am so grateful for MVYouth for giving me the gift of debt-free undergraduate education which allowed me to pursue a graduate degree. Wishing everyone a healthy and meaningful year!