Sophia Selvaraj

Charla Chair 2025-2026

srs00007@mix.wvu.edu

Hi! My name is Sophia Selvaraj and I am from Charleston, WV. I am a 2nd year graduate student studying Health Administration.

When I had first heard about Brigades, I was a senior in college and a coworker encouraged me to apply. I was nervous at first, but participating in my initial brigade was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Global Medical and Dental Brigades is an organization that helps empower communities in resource-reduced regions of the world with the use of the holistic model focused on health, economic development, and infrastructure. I have had the incredible opportunity of participating in two brigades, the first in Honduras and the second in Panama. During these brigades, we helped facilitate medical and dental clinics as well as assisted in public health projects. In Honduras, we helped build sanitation stations for local families to improve hygiene and disease prevention. In Panama, we contributed to a clean water initiative, digging trenches and replacing pipes to ensure long-term access to safe drinking water. Some of my favorite aspects about Brigades include: learning about medicine from a sociological lens, connecting with locals on the brigade, meeting other like minded WVU students, and contributing to something larger than yourself. This experience is valuable for those going into a career related to healthcare or any other field of interest. Please consider applying for Brigades if you want to have a worthwhile experience abroad! If you have any questions about Brigades, do not hesitate to reach out!