Wellness Student Spotlight: Zaina Sen, MPH26

My name is Zaina Sen, and I am graduating from the School of Medicine with a MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

Who is someone who has had an impact on you during your professional degree program?

Frankly, there are multiple groups of people that have supported me throughout my journey, and who continue to uplift me. My professors, my advisor, the Student Wellness Center, my friends, my previous employer/mentor, and of course, my family. They have seen me go through the ups and
downs during my enrollment in this program, and they continued to be there for me, which I’m very grateful for!

What is one activity you have done that contributed to your physical, mental, or emotional wellbeing over the course of your time at Tufts?

I’m always eager to learn and pick up new hobbies! They have also been a way for me to connect with others. During my time at Tufts, I found people to play tennis with on a weekly basis, which helped me de-stress, get some physical movement in for the day, and still maintain some social activity during the week. This summer, I plan to pick up crocheting!

What is something you have done in your professional degree program that you are proud of?

I’m most proud of the connections I’ve built during this program. This includes connections with peers, faculty, and especially with public health professionals I worked with outside of Tufts. Through them, I gained skills that have been highly formative in my personal and professional growth.

What is a challenging situation that you did not think you would overcome, but you did?

My second semester of my program was quite challenging because not only was I overloading on courses at Tufts, but I was also taking courses at Boston University. There were many times that I thought I wouldn’t excel in my courses, and that maybe I should drop some of them mid-way through the semester. My family and close friends really helped me during that time – they were there to pick up the phone any time I needed to vent or cry or celebrate about my courses. Consistency was also the key to my success. Even if I did not manage to get everything done on my to-do list for that day, I still tried to wake up the next day and try again.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in pursuing this career?

There are many, but I’d say the biggest one I’ve faced when making the decision to pursue public health was having belief in myself. Over the years, through professional and personal experiences, I’ve grow n to be a more confident individual. I’ve learned (and I’m still learning) to take rejection in stride. One of the lessons that I try to emphasize to myself is that the journey is just as important as the result or goal.

What is something you wish you knew at the start of your journey? What is a piece of advice you would give your past self?

Start early and start moving towards your goals one step at a time. But at the same time, don’t lose sight of yourself – you are more than your career!

What will you miss most about being at Tufts and/or living in Boston?

I will miss the people! I definitely felt a community spirit at the Boston campus. I hope that I come across something similar later in life!

What is one thing you are looking forward to most in your life post-grad?

I’m looking forward to forging a career path that aligns with my passions and interests, and also one that allows me to make meaningful contributions to society.