Visiting galleries/museums (beyond dedicated category): 2 points - Jadyn Franklin

 

(3/20/2026 Submission)

Reflection on my attendance to the Coca Cola Museum:

Critical Evaluation:

My visit to the World of Coca-Cola was both engaging and informative, offering a multifaceted look into one of the most globally recognized brands. One of the primary strengths of the experience was its immersive design including interactive exhibits, historical timelines, and multimedia presentations capturing the evolution of The Coca-Cola Company. The tasting room, in particular, highlighted the company’s international reach and adaptability/inclusion of different cultures. One limitation of the experience was that due to timing, I was rushed through the experience, leaving me wanting to revisit for more time to engage with and reflect on all of the activities throughout the exhibit.

Synthesis:

This experience connects to my academic interests in public health and my growing awareness of how corporate practices influence health outcomes, particularly in underrepresented communities. In my studies, I have explored how access to and marketing of unhealthy foods can disproportionately affect communities of color, directly contributing to conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Visiting the museum allowed me to see firsthand how powerful branding and marketing strategies can shape consumer behavior on a global scale. I also noticed a recurring theme amongst larger corporations: they tend to highlight innovation and success while minimizing or omitting discussions of potential harm. This parallels themes I have studied in healthcare, where systematic issues often require deeper analysis beyond surface-level optics. This experience reinforced the importance of critical thinking and the need to evaluate both the benefits and consequences of widely accepted practices and products.

Impact:

Attending the World of Coca-Cola has influenced my perspective on the intersection between business, marketing, and public health. It has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in medicine with a focus on health equity, particularly in educating patients about lifestyle factors that impact their long-term health. This experience has encouraged me to be more mindful of how external influences, like advertising and accessibility, shape health behaviors within different communities. Moving forward, I plan to incorporate this awareness into my academic and professional development by continuing to study health disparities and advocating for patient education and preventative care. Additionally, I am inspired to seek opportunities that allow me to engage with community health initiatives, where I can help address the broader social and environmental factors that influence health outcomes.

Sincerely,

Jadyn Franklin, Class of 2027