Dear Friedman community,
My name is Gargi Wable and I am writing to express my gratitude to all the generous alumni and friends for giving me a wonderful opportunity to attend the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy- the only nutrition school in North America. Thanks to the philanthropy of the unseen faces associated with Tufts who helped transform a shy student from a developing country into a confident, well-trained graduate student- now ready to pursue an international career in maternal and child health. Filled with all the excitement to graduate next month, it is my honor that the Friedman School has given me a platform to share my unique experiences – thanks to the generous financial aid that supported my education.
I am a second year graduate student enrolled in the Food Policy and Applied Nutrition (FPAN) program. To be honest, it was difficult to choose from among the various nutrition programs at Tufts, given their highly specific curriculums. 
However, given my interest in community and pediatric nutrition, I decided to join the FPAN program and I believe that was my best career decision. Not only did I learn from my professors at the Friedman and Fletcher Schools, but also from my fellow students who have such great experiences from around the globe. The classroom environment always fostered learning from each other, and with each other. I had never previously been exposed to an academic setting where the professors not only encourage students to ask queries but also take the extra effort to get back to us with information on the topic of interest. Besides the academic requirements, I also participated in extracurricular activities with the Friedman student council and the student research conference- experiences which added to my interpersonal and organizational skills. My part time jobs as a research assistant and teaching assistant also gave me a sense of responsibility and boosted my confidence as a professional. The Wednesday seminars and alumni career panels were also helpful to get acquainted with the nuts and bolts of international organizations. All such experiences at the Friedman School made a dream internship come true for me last summer. I had the opportunity to intern at the United Nations World Food Programme in New York as the assistant Liaison Officer. To be a part of an international organization such as the United Nations is something I can cherish for my entire life, and I am at a loss for words to thank my Professor Dean Patrick Webb, my academic advisor and professor Parke Wilde and my friends at Friedman- all of whom encouraged me to apply for this internship and restored my confidence that "I can."
It is now my final semester at Friedman and I have mixed feelings when I think that this graduate experience will end soon. But, I take pride in saying that I am ready to get into the real world and face many more challenges while I work under deadlines, with people from varied backgrounds, and perhaps in a setting where there is competition. I will miss my professors and the staff from academic affairs who would care to ask if I was doing ok, and if I was "at home". However, I am also very sure that I can always come back to the institution where I gained such a life-changing experience! 
To all those people who inspire and motivate me to help alleviate the nutritional problems of vulnerable communities, thank you for enlightening me and my colleagues who come to the Friedman School from distant places for an education that helps them in their pursuit of humanitarianism.
Sincerely,
Gargi Wable
MS Candidate 2009, Food Policy & Applied Nutrition
Tufts University, Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy
