Traveling to a new city is nothing short of exciting new experiences, new friendships and beautiful views. Now, imagine putting a public health spin on it! MPH student Emily Pangalila, traveled to London, U.K. for the Introduction to Urban Health and Equity January Term course to learn the determinants for healthier urban communities and explore why cities are proving to be such an effective level of government to achieve results for health and health equity. Taught by Professor Jo Ivey Boufford, students learned from and collaborated with experts in the field and took their studies outside of the classroom to gain a practical lesson on health disparities at the local level and understand the unique challenges faced by urban communities.
With pictures being worth a thousand words, follow Emily's J Term experience through snapshots of her favorite moments and adventures.
Nothing screams, "You're not in New York City anymore," like starting the day with a view while grabbing coffee and heading to class or simply walking to breakfast!
Left: View outside of NYU London, complete with London’s iconic double-decker buses and historic architecture make every morning commute feel special!
Right: Passing through Neal’s Yard on the way to breakfast! Tucked away in Covent Garden, this vibrant hidden courtyard is known for its colorful buildings and independent shops.
The classroom experience was more than lectures and readings. My classmates and I engaged in dynamic discussions with professionals in the field and participated in fun team building activities.
Left: Group photo with Dr. Sir Michael Marmot, professor at University College London, who led an insightful discussion on health equity and the social determinants of health.
Right: Gathering together for a class activity called 'Perfect Squares,' where two teams race to be the first to arrange their paper pieces into equal squares. This game showed us how collaboration and teamwork are important skills we need in public health.
The best part of studying abroad is taking your studies outside of the classroom and exploring the lessons the city has to teach you.
Pictured: Me conducting a foodscape assessment in areas of London and nearby subway stations. For this assessment, my classmates and I examined how public spaces and food places impact access to healthy food and community well-being.
Left: Taking a public health walking tour around London and stopping by the famous John Snow pump. This site marks Dr. John Snow’s discovery in 1854 that linked a cholera outbreak to contaminated water, revolutionizing modern epidemiology and public health.
Right: Visiting Kensington Gardens to perform a 12 Quality Criteria Public Space Assessment, an assignment analyzing accessibility, comfort, and enjoyment in London's parks and public spaces.
This trip wouldn't be what it was without my friends, the adventures we took and memories we made.
Left: Celebrated my birthday with my amazing J Term cohort at Dishoom, a fantastic Indian restaurant!
Right: Stopping by the Notting Hill shops to pick up an iconic Notting Hill shopping bag tote.
Left: Visiting the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, a beautifully designed space known as a favorite of Princess Diana's. The space features a statue in her honor, celebrating her legacy.
Right: Spending a Saturday exploring the historic city of Bath, England, visiting the ancient Roman Baths and admiring the stunning architecture of Bath Abbey
Left: Experiencing the excitement of a Premier League football match (West Ham v Fulham) at London Stadium!
Right: Getting dinner at Leadenhall Market, a historic 14th-century marketplace with stunning Victorian architecture. Fun fact—it was used as Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone!
Coming to London opened doors for more collaborative and hands-on approaches to our class projects. Students were broken into teams and partnered with local organizations to address some of the city's pressing public health issues.
Pictured: My team collaborated with the University of Manchester to explore how digital, health and financial literacy impact urban health. We developed recommendations to improve access and equity in Greater Manchester. Pictured here is me getting ready to complete my final client presentation.
Looking back on my journey from the first day of class to the last, I'm grateful for the unforgettable experiences and opportunity to work with an incredible cohort.
Left: Wrapping up our first day of classes with a quick selfie before heading to dinner.
Right: Celebrating the last day of class after completing our final client presentations.