Just Call Me Master

Well, folks, the countdown is on. I am officially moving to Ontario in August.

Though I've only been in Cowtown for a year and a half, being somewhat settled was starting to feel strangely unsettling. Dang restless ambition started acting up and, long story short... I'm on my way to grad school in the fall. The University of Ottawa, to be exact. AKA "Canada's University", where I will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Globalization and International Development. Swanky, right?

Okay, not really. Maybe what you should really call me is "Glutton for Punishment". Here's to another two years of being school-poor and stressed! But I AM super stoked. I've been cultivating my interest in social issues, development and policy for many years, from the Kaien Island Youth Council to BC Youth Parliament to the World Youth Congress to the CIDA-sponsored journalism fellowship in Latin America in 2009. This just feels like the right next step in the natural evolution to where I hope to end up professionally.

You may be wondering what exactly it is that I will be studying. In short, international development is about building a better quality of life and more prosperous societies through social and economic advancement. That means finding, implementing and supporting practical, long-term solutions to reduce poverty, improve health, support innovation and protect the environment. No small task... to some the entire concept is daunting or even futile. Like no matter what we do it's only a drop in the bucket.

I think maybe Alma best captures my position on this matter: "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." (Alma 37:6)

The big Plan B dream? Contribute to the ongoing normalization of communications as an integral component of development planning and further the use of communications as a catalyst for social change and development. Or, in other words, put my communications background to good use working for either an United Nations agency or Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.

While I'm really not sure yet what my thesis topic will be, I am working on fleshing out one idea that's been marinating in my mind (I have described it below for those who are truly interested or who, like my mom, are interested because they love me and will try to be interested in anything that interests me).

Mostly my mind is consumed with trying to figure out all the logistics of moving across the country and affording it all. I was fortunate to receive an admission scholarship that will be immensely helpful, but it will still leave me short. Soooo, I will take this opportunity to also let you know that I will be selling myself for the next few months. Seriously, if you know anyone in the Calgary area that needs a house or pet sitter, a French tutor (or, I guess, a "French" tutor ;p), a friend for hire, whatever-- hit this girl up! I reserve the right to vet any and all propositions at my own discretion ;)

I'll also be taking suggestions for my newly-minted Ottawa Bucket List.

Thanks friends :)


Thoughts for Thesis
One area of special intrigue for me is the growing problem of obesity in the developing world. Two thirds of the world’s obese now live in developing nations and the World Economic Forum ranks non-communicable diseases, including obesity, as one of the top global threats to economic development. In many places the increasing availability of cheap, imported and highly-processed foods is supplanting traditional diets. Additionally, while in developed countries obesity is widely considered to be a condition congruent with lower socioeconomic status and educational attainment, the inverse appears to be true in countries with a low human development index. Which basically means it is something many aspire to.

From a macro perspective, I am interested in the ramifications on global health and the economy and how this impacts the worldwide discussion on malnutrition. From a communications perspective, I am curious about the impact of global media and western values on food choices, the messaging and communication channels surrounding food, nutrition, and health, as well as the local cultural implications of body image. For example, in Mauritania, a woman’s size is traditionally linked to her father’s wealth and power. As in, the bigger the better. In 2003, government efforts to warn women of the dangers of obesity via radio were largely ignored. While the practice of force feeding is gradually diminishing, the even more dangerous practice of “chemical gavage”, where girls take growth hormones and other dangerous drugs to bulk up, is on the rise. It now impacts about one third of the country’s women.

Based on existing research, it should not be surprising that radio ads did little to sway the public in Mauritania. “Research has shown that, while groups of the public can obtain information from impersonal sources like radio and television, this information has relatively little effect on behavioral changes. And development envisions precisely such change”  In other words, there is a definite need to bridge awareness of the problem and practical implementation of necessary lifestyle changes. One potential objective for this topic would be to identify and test the efficacy (in terms of behavioral change) of mass communication techniques based on interpersonal means of communication.

Or something like that :)

I'd love to hear any thoughts/suggestions from any other nerds out there who'd like to chime in.