Life experiences sculpt the unique features of each individual human being. In my case, growing up in a family that struggled under Communist rule in Czechoslovakia taught me the importance of standing for what is right -- a lonely and scary path that is always worth following. Coming to the United States as a teenager and receiving tremendous support from my American friends has proved to me that miracles do happen. Living with Taiwanese and Filipino people made me understand that the way to know a community is to listen, eat, laugh, cry, and dance with them. Spending two and half months in Colombia working with their poor community reminded me of how caring deeds can impact the lives of those in significant need. Numerous visits to Belarus have provided me with a great lesson in questioning the way media portray various international issues.

Before we judge political systems or people, we must learn about them personally.

My thoughts, beliefs, and experiences continue to define who I am as a human being, a woman, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a public health professional.