Muli bwanji? (That means "how are you" in Chichewa, one of the languages spoken in Malawi).
My name is Mikayla. I am 27 years old. I grew up in Arlington and loved playing outside and seeing all the animals (like frogs, snakes, and butterflies). I also loved riding my bike, dancing, and playing tennis.
When I got older, I went to school to become a doctor for kids. Right now I am in my last year of medical school, which means I am almost finished learning how to take care of children who are sick and help them feel better.
Some kids are born with hearts that don't work the way they should. These children need a special doctor called a heart surgeon to help fix their heart, but in Malawi, a country in Africa, there aren't any heart surgeons for kids. So, I am going to Malawi for 9 months to help figure out how children who need heart surgery can get to a doctor who can help them, even if that doctor is far away.
I will be living in a city called Lilongwe, which is the capital of Malawi. While I'm there, I'll get to meet doctors, nurses, and lots of kids and families. I can't wait to learn all about Malawi and share pictures and stories with you.
I am so excited to be your Reach the World traveler this year! I can't wait to see what you are learning about too. Want to know a fun fact? Your teacher is my mom! Let's go on this adventure together!
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
