She’s not totally off her mark here: sharks are a real concern in the island’s waters, and the Ni-Vanuatu (Vanuatu natives) historically practiced cannibalism.
Kate, you can rest assured that I do not plan to become a snack to either man or beast.
So, yeah, Vanuatu seems kind of a random place to go—why a poor island nation in the middle of the South Pacific? (Check out Wikipedia for some background information on Vanuatu.)
It’s all in the name of research, my friends. And eventually finishing a PhD.
A couple of my professors have a long-term study running in Vanuatu to study the effects of modernization on health. (This is a pretty complex topic, but generally what we see when Western lifestyles and diets are introduced to developing areas is an increase in chronic diseases, like obesity and diabetes, and a decrease in infectious diseases, like malaria and cholera.) Late last summer, I heard that these professors were ready to head back to Vanuatu for another round of the study; I said “I WANT TO GO.”
It’s all in the name of research, my friends. And eventually finishing a PhD.
A couple of my professors have a long-term study running in Vanuatu to study the effects of modernization on health. (This is a pretty complex topic, but generally what we see when Western lifestyles and diets are introduced to developing areas is an increase in chronic diseases, like obesity and diabetes, and a decrease in infectious diseases, like malaria and cholera.) Late last summer, I heard that these professors were ready to head back to Vanuatu for another round of the study; I said “I WANT TO GO.”
Pretty sure I actually did manage to say it all in caps.
Now it’s finally summer and on Friday (that’s technically tomorrow, as it’s now Thursday—yikes) I leave the wonderful homeland of New England for the warmth, tectonic movements, and radioactivity of the Pacific.
And, of course, the sharks and cannibals.
I'll be doing my best to update this blog as often as possible so you all know what I'm up to (and that I'm still alive). No guarantees of regularity, however, since I don't currently know our schedule, and I don't know where we'll have internet access and where we won't.
I shall return to you all in August. I intend to have many pictures to share and a great tan.
Wish me luck! Bon voyage!
And, of course, the sharks and cannibals.
I'll be doing my best to update this blog as often as possible so you all know what I'm up to (and that I'm still alive). No guarantees of regularity, however, since I don't currently know our schedule, and I don't know where we'll have internet access and where we won't.
I shall return to you all in August. I intend to have many pictures to share and a great tan.
Wish me luck! Bon voyage!
No comments:
Post a Comment