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People oftentimes remember a life-changing moment or event, by vividly recalling the situation that unfolded. For me, that moment transpired the day I changed into a dark blue shirt, raised my right hand, recited an oath that appeared on a project screen, and uttered those four words, “So help me god.” My journey thereafter, which amounted to saying farewell to fellow colleagues, and a bus and train ride home, was interrupted by a wave of anxiety and trepidation; the apprehension and fear drained the vigor out of me. The adventure was punctuated by a tumultuous sea of thoughts: “What did I just get myself into? Am I ready for this? What can I do for residents that live in a food desert?” That fear, and angst, vacillated between my place of …show more content…

In addition, a team composed of non-profit organizations, a pediatrician, and myself are designing a program that uses storytelling to teach children and their families about nutrition, health and wellness, and sustainability.
Through this opportunity, I have not only reaffirmed my desire to continue working with economically challenged populations, but I have begun to raise questions about the types of mechanisms that can effectively address hunger in the United States of America. Can farmers’ markets adequately supply residents in a low-income community with enough healthful produce? Should municipalities empower non-profit organizations to build community gardens? Do residents who inhabit a low-income community want to shop at a local market or urban farm or garden, or do they prefer to shop at a grocery store situated in the heart of the community? Working in the South End has inspired me to address similar questions in my future work, because I believe that sustainable solutions and the idea of a sustainable city are possible instead of a utopia. For now, I will continue to observe, take notes, and modify, elaborate, and expand my understanding of the difficulties that beset many urban neighborhoods, such as those represented by Albany’s South End.
My reason for applying to the doctorate program in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at the University of California,

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