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Jennifer Gunderman, M.P.H., director of Maine Area Health Education Center and workforce development team lead, and three students recently returned from a rural health immersion in Greece.

The immersion was an opportunity for students to get hands-on experience working with, supporting, and learning from asylum seekers, a population that is vulnerable to health disparities and inequities. 

Gunderman and the students volunteer with Carry the Future, an organization serving the needs of asylum seekers and refugee families through aid distribution and support of on the ground activities.

“This was my fifth Carry the Future trip since February 2016,” Gunderman said. “Each trip brings new relationships and experiences, as well as joys and heartaches.”

Master of Public Health student Samuel McClean says some days he was kept very busy, while other days moved along slowly. He says all his days in Greece were filled with wonderful experiences

“It was extraordinary and so deeply impactful for all of us,” explained McClean. “We had the joy and privilege of visiting refugees where they lived and met important needs in such a personal way.”

The ɫ����Ƶ team prepared and served meals to people needing nourishment, taught English to refugees, purchased and distributed aid at two refugee camps, and developed and implemented a hygiene workshop.

“We anticipated that around 60 individuals would attend the workshop, but our expectations quickly faded when well over 100 men, women, and children overfilled every classroom in the top floor of an Athens apartment building,” said Valerie Pendleton (COM, ’22).

Gunderman expects the experience will stick with the students well into their professional careers.

“My hope is that students learned the value of listening to and honoring the life stories of others,” she stated. “Being successful in their health and public health professions means building relationships with individuals, organizations and communities.”

The ɫ����Ƶ team collaborated closely with other non-profit organizations including Love and Serve Without Borders, The Home Project, Hope Café and One Stop. 

“As it was time for us to part ways, it was difficult to say goodbye to the people and the work that was being left behind,” said Shannon Yoo (COM, ’22).