Somali Activist, Nafisa Farah, will be visiting Gustavus’ campus next Wednesday, March 23, in Confer room 127. This event is open to the Gustavus community to attend. She will speaking about the health and diet of Somalians and the cultural aspects it entails.

Minnesota has one of the highest populations of Somalian immigrants in the nation and what some immgrants don’t take into account is their shift in diet when immigrating to the United States or another country for that matter.

Farah will discuss the changes Somalians have to undergo in their diets, which in turn can cause health issues as they are not used to eating certain foods and/or withdrawing from others.

With Minnesota being one of the leaders in the Somalian population, health issues have potential for larger concern. Nafisa Farah will help identify those issues, target the source of the problems and what can be done in terms of better health throughout the Somalian population.

Although her talk primarily focuses on Somalian immigrants and the health issues they face as a population, the talk is beneficial to everyone. People will learn more about the struggles immigrants face, their culture and how they adapt to new environments and cultures while still keeping faithful to their cultural practices.

“I encourage people to attend because it’s a unique opportunity and learning experience,” Professor of French, African, Carribean Studies in Modern Languages and, Literature and Cultures, Paschal Kyoore said. 

Farah’s talk is something to take adavntage of as it’s a new opportunityto learn more about the people in your community, school, church, etc. and understand a different culture, and the challenges faced. Her talk will also help audience member examine their own health habits and routines and see if there’s any room for improvement or adjustment.

Farah’s talk can only help improvement understanding in multiple areas.