Personal Background
My name is Allyson Doolittle and I am a senior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in environmental studies and anthropology as well as obtaining a sustainability certificate. In less than a week, I am excited to say that I will be traveling to Mussoorie, India for Pitt’s Leadership in the Himalayas global experience!
During my (long) time here at Pitt, one of my major accomplishments was when I co-founded a sustainability group called the PittDivas, where we work to distribute sustainable menstrual and safe sex products to Pitt students, as well as to local food drives and shelters. We have hosted focus groups and tabling events to inform students about local resources at Pitt Public Health, as well as learn areas we can improve around campus. Last semester, we applied to the Pitt Green Fund and received 1800 dollars to purchase and distribute menstrual underwear and silicone menstrual cups. Since the creation of our club, we have distributed over 1000 products to Pitt students and locals in need! It has been incredibly fulfilling to reduce menstrual inequities for the amazing students at Pitt.
Additionally, I am currently finishing up in an internship through the Pitt Honors College in collaboration with the Fayette County Cultural Trust (FCCT) in Connellsville, PA. Here, me and a few other Pitt students work on various projects to aid in the economic resilience of the region. This semester, I worked on increasing tourism services, bringing Pitt OSHER remote classes to the new FCCT classroom, developing internships for Pitt GIS students, as well as compiling population data from 7 counties in Pennsylvania to use in the creation of maps. This has been an incredibly rewarding internship and I have been able to practice skills such as project management, community outreach, networking, and data analysis. Through this internship, I was able to meet Bryan Schultz who opened my eyes to Leadership in the Himalayas trip.
To India
The Leadership in the Himalayas trip is an international travel experience to the Hanifl Centre in Mussoorie, India. We will learn the principles of outdoor leadership theory, wilderness medicine, and how to take care of the environment during a trek/camping trip. I was largely inspired to apply to this program due to the influence of Bryan Schultz and Joseph Alter, whose depiction of this experience left me thrilled and incredibly eager to apply. The leadership aspect of this trip is especially exciting as I have never taken a course entirely devoted to learning and growing my personal leadership theory. Leadership skills are invaluable and fundamental in defining yourself in the professional field, and I believe this program will improve my confidence in communication and group management.
Furthermore, due to my interests in environmental studies, anthropology, and sustainability, this seemed like the perfect experience to practice the knowledge I learned from my time here at Pitt into functional skills that I can apply after my upcoming graduation. Prior to our ten day trek in the Himalayas, we will be learning the principles of Leave No Trace, which are outdoor ethics guidelines that promote the responsible and sustainable use of the natural environment. I am thrilled to be able to implement sustainability practices that I learned in college, including reducing waste, conserving resources, and minimizing carbon footprint in a real life study abroad experience.
I have also been studying anthropology for the past three years, yet I have been limited to studying non-Pennsylvanian cultures on PowerPoint slides and articles in class. I am thrilled to be able to enhance my cultural awareness and hopefully mature my ethnographic perspective, participant observation, and cross-cultural communication skills!
The intensive 10-day trek in the Himalayas is the part of this trip that I know will challenge me the most, but I believe it will be a unique opportunity for personal growth and transformation. Trekking in a remote and challenging environment will test my physical and mental limits, but will surely build resilience and perseverance. I think this will be a great experience to foster self-reflection and introspection, and will allow me to connect with myself and nature on a much deeper level.
I am absolutely thrilled for every aspect of this trip! Well, except the flight!