Ouattara

Before Friedman

Why did I decide to apply for the Master of Arts in Humanitarian Assistance? My ten-years of experience in emergency relief gave me the opportunity to serve disaster affected people in my country as well as other African countries and Haiti. Through this experience, I gathered some basic and informal knowledge. However, I quickly realized that I needed academic knowledge to better serve people affected by conflicts or natural disasters. I also recognized that I was lacking some basic knowledge in nutrition which is fundamental in addressing people’s needs during famine or acute food crisis. In this context, the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy appeared to be the learning experience I needed to meet my expectations. I am just realizing that I was right.

My Friedman Experience

The knowledge I am getting at the Friedman School is beyond my expectations. Through the courses of humanitarian action in complex emergencies, seminar on humanitarian issues, nutrition in complex emergencies, and other courses, I have a better understanding of how to make evidence-based arguments and how to build better programming. In addition, the Freidman School is a unique multicultural environment and I am taking advantage of learning from the other students.

After Friedman

After my graduation, I will return to Catholic Relief Services where I will continue working in the area of humanitarian assistance. I will use the value-added from the Freidman School to advise and mentor other colleagues and positively influence the agency’s humanitarian policy. I will also use this knowledge in the design of high quality emergency projects to efficiently assist conflict and natural disaster affected people.