Background
- Daniel James Sadowski (23 years old) from La Salle, Illinois, USA.
- Bachelor degree in biochemistry.
- Also had a concentration in Spanish and participated in a global ambassador program.
On writing the master theses
I entered the International Community Health program without a determined thesis topic or plans for a research project. Through the course of the first semester, however, I learned more about the research process and had the time to contemplate what topic I would like to explore with my thesis. I have a relationship with a Latino community organization based in Des Moines, Iowa, and I selected my target population to be Latinos in the state of Iowa in the US. Then, in consultation with the president of this Latino organization, I selected diabetes as the focal issue. I got in touch with a number of professors in the state of Iowa who work with related topics. The expenses for my project are limited, and I am funding the project out of personal finances.
On the study environment
I was privileged to study topics surrounding health through a uniquely Norwegian lens, while complimented by a great diversity of students in the classroom, representing a variety of countries around the world. My interaction with students from low-income countries and listening to stories of rampant poverty in their home countries made me contemplate the futility of longing for excessive wealth in my own life.
Additionally, my residence in student housing allowed me to completely immerse myself into a European student community. The discussions I had with friends in my student housing forced me to think much deeper into my role as a US citizen and the influence of my country in the world. I felt the urge to stop and question aspects of my established life at home in the US. My year living and studying in Oslo, Norway turned out to be an especially formative experience for me. Observing and living in Norwegian society allowed me to understand a divergent form of social order and function. I was intrigued to meet individuals who had a general trust in the national government and an appreciation for a multitude of publicly financed social programs. It was a stark, yet refreshing contrast from my experiences in the US.
Lessons learned
I now understand with greater clarity the relationship between group health and individual health, that is of public health and conventional medicine. This distinction will serve me well as I pursue a career in medicine while maintaining my interest and relationship with community health activities.
After graduation
Completed the master degree spring of 2010. Now, a medical student in the US. Daniel Sadowski has published a couple of article based on the master thesis.