Growing up as a first-generation student in Pune, India, I saw how limited opportunities and early marriage shaped the lives of many young girls in my community. I often felt the weight of these expectations, but my parents had an unwavering belief in education. My father worked grueling shifts as a public transport driver, and my mother continues to work as a staff worker at a local school. Despite years of hard work and struggle, my family has always believed that education is the path to building a different future.

As I grew older, I began to see how deeply education, health, and opportunity were connected. In many communities like mine, limited access to healthcare and information can shape the course of people’s lives just as much as limited access to education. These observations sparked my desire to pursue a career in public health and research. And now I need your help to fulfill my dream of using my skills and education to improve healthcare for underserved communities.

My journey began at a government school in Pune, then led me to study at the prestigious Mahindra United World College of India on a full ride scholarship, and eventually to Earlham College in Indiana, USA, with 100% scholarship. I graduated with a BA in Neuroscience and Public Health.

Today, I live in Boston and work in drug safety and effectiveness research, contributing to studies that help us better understand how medications impact patient health. Over the past seven years, I have worked diligently to build strong research skills and gain experience in public health and healthcare systems.

Now, I hope to take the next step by pursuing graduate training in public health.

With acceptances from Columbia Mailman, Boston University and Johns Hopkins, I am eager to pursue advanced public health training. I have and am currently applying to a few scholarships, and still need to cover the rest for my tuition and living expenses.

Attending graduate school will be a transformative step in my journey. An MPH will provide advanced research training, mentorship, and a global health perspective needed to address complex maternal health challenges.

With these skills, I hope to conduct impactful research, collaborate with community health workers and healthcare providers, and contribute to policies and programs that improve maternal health outcomes. Ultimately, this milestone will allow me to turn my passion into tangible action that benefits communities that need it the most, this time more than ever.

Thank you for being a part of my journey.

Shruti Belitkar