Aspiring doctor selected for first Mansbridge Internship at Mount Allison University
2011-04-15 11:22:50

SACKVILLE, NB — Monica Jepson, a third-year biochemistry student has received the first Mansbridge Internship at Mount Allison University. Established by University Chancellor and CBC News Chief Correspondent Peter Mansbridge, the internship is the richest of its kind at Mount Allison, valued at $10,000.

Jepson, a resident of Calgary, AB, will travel to Kenya for seven weeks this summer with Medics to Africa, an international organization with a hands on program that focuses on both academics as well as cross cultural awareness. Students from medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and the sciences are selected to travel to Africa and provide basic medical support in hospitals and communities.

Mount Allison University Chancellor Peter Mansbridge says, “I wish to congratulate Monica on this exciting project. The internship is meant to provide students with an experience that builds on what they learn in the classroom. Such perspective is vital in today’s world and I look forward to hearing about Monica’s very timely work in Kenya.’’

Jepson says, “I am honoured to receive the Mansbridge Internship and would like to thank Chancellor Mansbridge and the University for this opportunity. I hope to pursue a career in medicine following my degree at Mount Allison and this experience will assist me greatly. I will be working at St. Joseph Mission Hospital in the Migori County region of Kenya. The county is home to roughly 1,000,000 people and 18 doctors and a high percentage of the population suffers from HIV/AIDS. I believe working in this environment will truly be a life-changing experience.”

Jepson will work in a wide range of areas including pediatrics, radiology, surgery, maternity, ICU, ENT, and emergency. The hospital is also has a special clinic for people with HIV/AIDS and their family members. This builds on her involvement with Mount Allison’s Global Brigades, with which she travelled to Honduras during the University’s reading week the last two years providing medical support in remote villages. Jepson also served as the group’s treasurer this year.

In addition to her work at St. Joseph’s, Jepson will also travel to Mwijabu School in Mombasa to follow up on a project she was part of while a high school student at Strathcona Tweedsmuir School in Calgary. She, along with nine other students, fund raised for a computer lab in this school in 2007. They also created a teaching curriculum to provide students and their teachers with the necessary technological skills. Jepson will be able to visit the school for the first time during the Mansbridge Internship.

Following her time in Africa, Jepson will return to Mount Allison to complete her final year of studies. She will also share her experiences with the University community. She says, “I plan to create a photo journal that I can share with fellow students, faculty, and staff. I believe the content of this internship relates directly to my studies in biology and biochemistry as well as other programs such as sociology and international relations. It is my hope that through sharing my experiences, I will be able to encourage others get involved and broaden their global perspectives.”

2011 is the first year for the Mansbridge Internship. Open all third-year Mount Allison University students, the project allows the intern to develop attitudes, abilities, and skills essential to active participation in an increasingly globalized and interconnected society.

Photo caption: Third-year biochemistry student Monica Jepson of Calgary, shown in Honduras during a recent mission with Mount Allison University’s Global Brigades, has been received the first Mansbridge Internship at Mount Allison.

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