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At Tufts, I have taken a wide range of courses. I used my freshmen year to explore and take courses from multiple departments. I believe this helped me pick my majors and a career field. Through this exploration, I learned how interesting all the courses at Tufts are. From all the courses I have taken, one of my favorite classes I want to share about is the Water, Sanitation, and Health Seminar Course also known as WASH offered by the Community Health department. 

Many people, who are not in the public health or global health field, are not familiar with WASH or have never heard about it at all! Almost all of the people who take the course are majoring in Community Health and are interested in global health, including me. However, I did not know much about this topic before college. WASH in simple terms studies safe drinking water, availability of toilets, and hygiene to prevent diseases caused by inadequate water supply or lack of proper sanitation. Living in the U.S., the idea of not having a sink with clean running water or toilet right in your home may seem unimaginable to many. However, many around the world, especially in low-income countries, struggle with poor sanitation and unsafe water. 

The class was always intriguing and the class discussions were always rich. There was a semester-long research paper, and it was very fascinating to learn a lot more as I did a deep dive into a topic of interest within WASH. My paper was about sanitation and increasing access to proper sanitation for women. It was a rewarding process and made the class very memorable. A fun fact is that the water at Tufts comes from the Quabbin Reservoir which has been said to have one of the best tasting water!

As you begin college, it is helpful to take classes that interest you and explore areas you are not familiar with. Each department offers a unique perspective even on the same subject. Unlike high school, you have a large number of courses you can choose from. This may help you find your passion and enrich your overall experience at Tufts.

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/global/index.html