David Lai

David Lai

BS, Biology & Sociology, 2009
International Institute Individual Fellowship

David Lai graduated in the spring of 2009 with a bachelor's in general biology and sociology. During the summer of 2008, he participated in health economics research through an internship at the Public Health Foundation of India in New Delhi.

Throughout my time in India, my perspective broadened on how I view the world and approach world issues. Over the course of two months, I engaged in numerous conversations on what it means to take part in development and aid. A Western approach to these issues can be easily manipulated into simply sending food or money as a form of charity and goodwill, but the issues faced by individuals in the developing world are more complex than not having food to eat or not being able to read.

While in New Delhi and rural southern India, I witnessed firsthand the effects of well-planned initiatives that benefited the local community. Conversely, I also witnessed the ramifications of projects that were poorly executed or did not meet people’s needs. It was a powerful experience that has profoundly shaped my view on how to address global issues in the field of international development and global health.