Year: 2016
College: Berkeley
Major: Global Affairs
Hometown: Weston, MA
Nearing the end of her hectic midterms period, Stephanie Dowling took some time to sit down with HerCampus Thursday afternoon and talk about her passion for global affairs. Primarily interested in health policy, Steph has newly launched one of Yale’s most exciting and active student groups: the Nothing But Nets Campaign. Read below to hear more about Steph’s life at Yale, from planning fundraising concerts, running a half-marathon, and traveling to Singapore with her A Capella group, The New Blue!
Favorite Movie: The Holiday
Favorite New Haven restaurant: Sushi on Chapel and Caseus
Favorite Food: Pasta with Pesto
Favorite class: Bioethics and Law
Favorite Study Spot: Starr Reading Room
Celebrity Crush: Jude Law
Rumor has it that you’ve started a new group on campus. Could you tell us a bit about that?
I was accepted into this particular program through the United Nations Foundation. The program itself is in support of the Nothing But Nets Campaign, which supports malaria prevention around the world. My job, after gaining acceptance to this program, was to bring this campaign to Yale’s campus and host various events to raise money, awareness, and help advocate for this great cause.
What first got you interested in malaria prevention initiatives?
I am really interested in global health, and have been for some time now, which is why I became a Global Affairs major. Through the major, I am able to take a variety of classes on global health and public policy. I was first notified of this particular program, though, by a Yale alum. After hearing more about it, I got involved and ever since have become so much more connected to the cause because it’s so easy to make a difference. It’s very exciting to be able to see your efforts making a difference so quickly and having a direct impact on the communities you’re working to help.
What are some projects you’re hoping to implement in the next year?
This semester, we will definitely be having a benefit concert, which involve the New Blue performing (my a capella group) and a few other a capella groups as well to raise money for the campaign. Another project I would like to do is have a bake sale event that will work with both Theta and Hillel. It’ll involve selling baked goods to raise money and having students sign advocacy cards and letters to congress as part of the event.
What will the letters to congress involve?
Basically, it is a template and people can sign them. The letters will be thanking Congressmen for their support of malaria prevention. The letters serve as a way to strengthen awareness and if congressmen are receiving a lot of letters on the subject, it will show them that malaria prevention is a cause that people really care strongly about.
What else are you involved in at Yale?
I am in the a capella group, The New Blue and we are going to Singapore and Hong Kong for spring break! One of the things we will be doing is singing at the US Embassy. It is the oldest all-female a capella group at Yale, and we sing a range of different genres of music. Mostly, we sing a little bit of jazz, some old standards, and a lot of modern music. I am also involved with Team U, which is a running club that raises money for global health issues. The global health issue that we just raised money for was Shoe 4 Africa by running a half-marathon in New York City. The money we raised at that event went towards building a school.
What is your favorite thing about Yale?
I love how motivated everyone is to do well at school and at everything they are involved in. People don’t stop! (laughs) Even for a second! It makes me try and be a better person, makes me more motivated to do better just by constantly being surrounded by such motivated and talented people.
What do you like to do over the weekends?
When it’s nice out, I like to go on runs. And I always love to go out to meals with my friends.
What is your favorite Yale memory so far?
Probably my favorite Yale memory was just hanging out on Old Campus in the spring last year, with friends, in the warm weather.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I want to work in health policy, so I see myself working either in NYC or Washington D.C. having some sort of job in that field.