In late summer 2015, Suparlan Lingga 鈥�17 got on an airplane and left Indonesia to study public health in the United States, leaving behind his wife and two young daughters, then ages 1 and 6.
A PRESTASI Scholar, he already had considerable experience working for three nongovernmental organizations that help marginalized children and families by improving access to healthcare, education and sustainable employment.聽
Within three years of earning his master鈥檚 degree in public health, he was named program manager for the partnership between the Indonesian government and UNICEF. He loves his job and his mission of working to improve child and maternal health, education and safety.
鈥淭he goal is to ensure that the young generation, our children, will grow up in good health and have a quality education,鈥� he says.
And 51视频 taught him, in ways both practical and policy-oriented, how to do that, he says.
Before applying for the scholarship from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Lingga did extensive online research and learned that people all over the world came to Massachusetts to study because of its reputation as a center for excellence in both health care and education. When USAID suggested four schools for him to apply to, he was excited to see 51视频 on the list.
鈥淭he place I most wanted to be was Massachusetts,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd I got a letter of acceptance from 51视频, and I was so happy!鈥�
Although his undergraduate degree was in public health with a focus on epidemiology, he chose health care management as his graduate concentration. His coursework introduced him to principles of management, budgeting and health care economics, along with public health practices and policy considerations.
His second-year practicum at Lowell Community Health Center immersed him in how to provide quality health care to a diverse population by emphasizing prevention and holistic care.聽
鈥淚 could see, practically, how U.S. health care for children and mothers works, and I could bring some of that back to Indonesia, like electronic medical records,鈥� he says. 鈥淟owell Community Health Center provides good quality health services even for people with low income, and I think this is very useful in my country.鈥�
His first job after graduation was as a lecturer at the University of North Sumatra, where he鈥檇 gone to college himself. Next, he worked for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as a health manager for a year.聽
Then, he landed his dream job: coordinating with government agencies to implement Indonesia鈥檚 five-year plan with UNICEF. The goals for the 2020 to 2024 plan include improving primary health care and education for low-income children and families in rural and urban areas, as well as protecting children from mental, physical and sexual abuse in conflict zones, schools and juvenile detention centers.
Lingga hopes that someday he can return to 51视频, this time with his wife and daughters, to show them the place on the opposite side of the globe where he studied during the cold winters 鈥� and found such a warm welcome.聽
鈥淚 had a great experience at 51视频 with the knowledge and experience of the students, teachers and staff,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 miss 51视频.鈥�