Tackling Life & Health Challenges: Jasper Ewal's experience in the Live & Health Track
The master's programme in Global Challenges for Sustainability consists of three phases. Students from the current cohort will soon complete the second phase in which they have chosen a track on food, water or life & health. We asked students from each of the tracks about their experiences.
In this last episode, Jasper Ewal, who studied the first semester in Dublin and then moved to Budapest for the Life & Health track, shares his experiences.
Why did you join Charm-EU?
My bachelor’s degree taught me about the challenges we face and their disregard for boundaries. Tackling these challenges from a European perspective seems to me the most relevant approach. A course like CHARM-EU enables students to cross these borders and develop a set of “European” values and ideologies of which to build on with regards to business, legislation and personal behaviour.
Why did you choose the Life & Health track?
My bachelor's degree was already in sustainability; but the topic of health was often neglected. The connection between climate and health is very deep-rooted, yet often overlooked. The opportunity to learn about this novel field was very beneficial for me.
What was the most challenging for you while learning that track?
The fact that I had no prior knowledge on health concepts and related scientific subjects, entailed that I learned a lot of new information. Sometimes, it was difficult to keep track of all this varied input.
What did you learn that was the most unexpected?
I would say that there was not one thing that stood out to me as the most unexpected. However, the topics I touched upon (insect protein, foster care/homelessness, and migration), all taught me specifics about the processes and concepts behind them. I commend the Life & Health track for taking all these topics to an interventional level, giving the students the tools to make a hands-on impact for a better future.
What is your studies background and how did it help you during phase 2?
My background was in Global Sustainability Science at Utrecht University. This helped me a lot, because I was already made familiar with the different research methodologies from a transdisciplinary perspective. This allowed me to spend more time with new concepts and practices.
What would you tell another student who might be interested into studying that track?
The track Life & Health may sound vague at first, but as soon as you engage with the subject you understand that the topic is so broad that you can be led by your interests. My projects were on three completely different subjects, so it is a nice opportunity to be led by your curiosity.
Could you share some details about your next step in the CHARM-EU master’s programme, the capstone project?
Yes, I will be tackling the AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation) from a health perspective at the University of Utrecht. Together with KLUG (Klima Und Gesundheit) we will map what we know about the AMOC and how we can communicate these, sometimes difficult, facts to a wider audience, policy makers, businesses and citizens alike.