Global health education

Akuete KPODAR : global health education

I came from a small country in West Africa, grew up in Togo, and a small family of six that has been my support all my life. I will be the first generation of that family to graduate from college. While in Togo I went to school, where almost everything was taught in French. I was forced to think in French and write in English, but never had experienced the speaking of it. After graduating in mathematics and science back home, I could not find a job in my field that would fairly pay what I deserve because of corruption in my country. My mother, who has been the strongest women I ever saw or knew, helped me move to United States where we believed I could get a better work and educational opportunity. That same year I attended The American International School of Lome. I passed my last exam for Baccalaureate of Mathematics and Science as a 4.0 honor roll student. I was then accepted to Monroe College in New Rochelle, NY, with academic scholarship. I was really excited, with everyone looked after me to bring joy and get my family out of poverty.
My first year felt like the worst of my life. I could not understand anything. After paying all school fees and room the first week, I ended up with 20 dollars in my pocket. It was at that time when my faith became stronger because I knew God will not put me in situation that I could not handle. The next day I got a job selling ice cream and cleaning dishes for 6 dollars an hour and working over 30 hours a week. At the end of the first semester I got kicked out of housing for not been able to afford room. As a result, I became homeless and was only able to complete half of a semester. Unfortunately my credits were not transferable. Afterwards, I decided to move to Nebraska to help my sister and her husband who were coming to USA, deciding to keep my experience private from the family. It was at that point that I met my daughter's mother. The support provided in that relationship, both of my academic pursuits and personal dreams, provided me with the hope to continue my education. I appreciate my ex but as a good friend even though our relationship did not work.
Through all these years I told myself that nothing can not stop me anymore now that I have seen it all. Today I am starting over again with my schooling. My driving motivations are my daughter, who I will do anything for, my family and my faith. Sometimes in life we make decisions that will affect our future but at the end of the day no matter what you are going through, it is all about you , and the one that look after you, so there is no excuse for me not making it.
Fitness has always been a passion. Health and fitness is a major issue in today’s society. The global obesity level had double from 1999 to 2008. I believe that our countries are uninformed about the real health issues which have a considerable impact on life expectancy and diseases. I love when my clients tell me their blood pressure drop, or they feel better everyday. I am currently certified in personal training at 24 Hour Fitness, CPR through the Red Cross, and with the National Academy of Strength Medicine and recently the National council of strength fitness.
My short term goal is to get certified as a performance and corrective exercise specialist, and be able to work with any type of population. My long term goal is to become a top, quadrilingual fitness professional and eventually get my masters in mathematics. Additionally, I am currently working on two more major international certifications and my Associate’s degree in health care at West Los Angeles College. Now that I have set up short and long-term goals, I intend to make a lot of changes in health care by pursuing my education by completing my master’s in health care, to be more specific in kinesiology at Cal State Long Beach or USC.Based on my past experience and the society I grew up in, I feel that I have all the tools and opportunities offered but financially unable to keep up with my education. Even though am trying to ease the financial burden back home and help provide for my daughter, I am engaging in education so I can provide the necessary for those that are least inform about their health especially African America. Eventually, I plan on going back home to my native country to share the knowledge that I had acquired through all these years. Receiving a scholarship can help me further achieve my goals and make my dreams reality.