Student Spotlight: Daniela Fernandez, Mount Allison

Feb 9, 2012 8:21:10 AM | From the Field Student Spotlight: Daniela Fernandez, Mount Allison

In honor of Global Brigades Month, we are bringing you a new student highlight every week. These student volunteers were nominated by our Advising Team for their dedication to GB and for going above and beyond in planning and participating on Brigades. Who: Daniela Fernandez School: Mount Allison University, in New Brunswick, Canada Brigade: Public […]

In honor of Global Brigades Month, we are bringing you a new student highlight every week. These student volunteers were nominated by our Advising Team for their dedication to GB and for going above and beyond in planning and participating on Brigades.


Who: Daniela Fernandez

School: Mount Allison University, in New Brunswick, Canada

Brigade: Public Health Brigades

Nominated by: Alexandra Bornhoft, Public Health Brigades Program Advisor: Through her leadership role with PHB at MTA, it is apparent that Daniela sees the mission and vision of not only our program, but the needs of the community as well. She is constantly thinking of innovative ways for students to get involved and be active, and has helped make the group more than just a brigade, but a strong sustainable development chapter.

We asked Daniela: What was your most memorable Brigade experience and why? How has your Brigade experience impacted your life back home and on campus, or future career and education plans?

My name is Daniela Fernandez, and I am the VP for Public Health Brigades at Mount Allison University, in New Brunswick, Canada. This is my 3rd year being involved with Global Brigades, and the first thing that I would tell anyone about GB, is that it has changed my life in unimaginable ways and steered my life in the direction I always dreamed of from a young age. Having grown up in a “developing” country myself, I have strong ties to the work that Global Brigades carries out in Latin America and Africa, and ever since I became involved with the organization, my desire to pursue a career in International Development has only grown stronger. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what my favourite part of being involved with GB is, but in general, the friendships I have established with both the staff, the families, and fellow Canadian students have been extremely rewarding.

In terms of specifics, some of my favourite memories include the group reflections back at the compound after a day of construction, because they allow us all to reflect critically upon the work that we carry out, and the causes and implications of the social situation of many of the families we’ve met along the way. Times like these are the ones that allow us all, regardless of our background and experience, to come together to understand our circumstances and work to change stigmas and inequalities. My education in geography and environmental studies, has definitely allowed me to look at this experience more critically, and to understand the impacts of my involvement in a more meaningful way. After graduating this year, I hope to pursue an internship with Global Brigades in order to gain field experience with an NGO that is close to my heart, and in a country that makes me feel like I’m at home, every time.

Written By: Global Brigades