Critical Reflection Writing in the Hart Fellows Program

Through critical reflection writing, Hart Fellows examine the challenges, successes, inspirations and frustrations they experience in their fellowships. They write in a number of formats for a variety of audiences:

Personal Journaling

Journaling provides fellows a confidential avenue for reflection. Their journal writings often evolve into pieces for public audiences.

Research Service Learning projects

Critical reflection is an integral component of fellows' Research Service Learning (RSL) projects. Through their RSL writing, fellows share their unique insights into the research process and research findings. Fellows integrate this writing into their final research products.

Monthly Updates and "Letters Home"

In addition to journal writing and RSL writing, fellows write "Monthly Updates" and "Letters Home" at monthly intervals over the course of their fellowships. The pieces are written for an initial audience of the Hart Fellows Program's coordinator, director, and writing coach, but may later be refined for presentation to a wider audience. Fellows describe the places they live in and the people they work and live with, and provide their audience a window into the challenges and opportunities they face from day to day.

For examples of "Letters Home," from the current Fellows in the field, click here to read Anne Lai's account of one night in Shanghai. Click here to read "Tough to Swallow," Neil Gupta's essay about the challenges of treating HIV-positive patients. Click here to read "Mwanga Safari," an essay Rebecca Haffajee wrote about a home visit she made to talk with an HIV-positive mother. Click here to read "Rombo Safari," an essay Rebecca wrote about interviewing Tanzanian children affected by AIDS.