Service Learning in Zambia by Dr. Sharon D. Morrison
This summer, I led a group of seven undergraduate and three graduate students in a service-learning course in Livingstone, Zambia. This was a partnership with Bridge Volunteers (located in Colorado) and their NGO partner, African Impact. Our team came from the Public Health Education Department and Biochemistry and Environmental Studies. We spent 21 days working as volunteers in local clinics, home-based care in urban and rural households, and community development projects. We were also involved in field data collection and participated in weekly reflection sessions.
Each day we came "face to face" with the ravaging effects of poverty, HIV, and TB on the well-being of Zambians, but we rose to the occasion in terms of lending "the helping hand". In fact, many of us quickly became allies with African Impact coordinators, clinic staff, nursing students and home-based caregivers as we worked side-by-side to meet community needs. UNCG was represented well and (as was my hope), several of the team members have expressed an interest in continuing this kind of experience beyond their time at UNCG.
This was a powerful "short term" study abroad experience for all, and we hope others will have the opportunity and support they need to do this in the future.
We invite you to visit our Blog at: http://zambiacourseblog.blogspot.com and view our service-learning activities and reflections. (Be sure to scroll down to the end of each page and click on "older posts" in the bottom right hand corner. This will takes you back to previous entries).
International Travel Fund
The International Travel Fund afford faculty members the opportunity to present their work at a conference to an international audience and to network with colleagues from other countries. IPC has granted awards across several disciplines in the past few months. Congratulations go to the faculty listed here.
Dr. Andrew Willis and Dr. Elizabeth Keathley from the School of Music received an award this summer, where UNCG was well represented at the International Meeting of the College Music Society in Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, Croatia, June 30 – July 7, 2009, where the presenters included these two UNCG faculty members, one graduate student, and one alumna. Dr. Elizabeth Keathley read “The Schoenbergs’ Post-Feminist Zeitoper, Von heute auf morgen (1929),” and Dr. Andrew Willis presented a lecture-recital “Generational Shift: A 1991 Snapshot of Chinese Piano Music.” A 2009 masters graduate and current doctoral student, Richard Auvil, gave a lecture-recital, “Piano Miniatures of Dora Pejacevic: Art and Politics in Miniature,” that earned praise from the local hosts. Finally, Dr. Vanessa Cornett-Murtada of the University of St. Thomas (DMA, UNCG ‘04) read a paper on “Melodic Quotation and Social Change in Twentieth-Century Art Music.” Other recent International Meetings of the College Music Society, which occur biennially, have taken place in Costa Rica, Canada, Spain, and Thailand.
Andrew Willis and colleagues following session at Zagreb Music Academy (Willis on right)
Elizabeth Keathley and Richard Auvil at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
For more information on applying for an ITF award, visit the IPC website here.
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Nursing and Anthropology students study abroad in China by Dr. Jie Hu
On April 1, 2009, twelve students from the departments of Nursing and Anthropology traveled to China for a short term study abroad program. Led by Dr. Jie Hu (Nursing) and Dr. Susan Andreatta (Anthropology), these students participated in various activities in Beijing, Wuhan, and Shanghai, China, as part of their academic and professional development.
Dr. Jie Hu and Dr. Susan Andreatta holding an article written about their program in a Chinese newspaper
A welcome luncheon for UNCG faculty and students was hosted by Dr. Shen and Professor Yu Liping, the director of SON. In return, at the end of the eleven days, UNCG hosted a farewell luncheon for the five team leaders and for the Chinese students and faculty.
At Wuhan University’s HOPE School of Nursing, Dr. Hu gave an introduction of UNCG, SON programs, and community health nursing to the faculty and Chinese senior nursing students. Dr. Andreatta gave a lecture on Medical Anthropology to 50 undergraduate nursing students and our 12 students.
The UNCG students visited two major teaching hospitals affiliated with the university: People’s Hospital and Zhongnan Hospital. Hospital units visited include the emergency room, pulmonary unit, and cardiovascular unit and dialysis center. Students also visited a traditional Chinese hospital where physicians demonstrated acupuncture and cupping treatment to patients with stroke, arthritis pain, and back pain.
A health fair was organized by the Community Health Service Centers and Wuhan University at five community centers. Our students partnered with Chinese students and physicians to provide health screening for blood pressure, glucose, height, weight, and waist circumference for 595 local residents at these five centers. The health fair was reported through media in Wuhan in two local newspapers and a local TV news station.
UNCG students participating in health fair
Our students also partnered with Chinese nursing students in groups to present projects to residents at five community health centers in Wuhan. They presented information on diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, nutrition, stroke, fall prevention, and an introduction of nursing homes and assisted living found in the U.S. Approximately 40-50 residents in each center attended the health education programs provided by our students, which were interpreted by the Chinese students.
The group was accompanied by Chinese physicians from the Community Health Service Centers, Chinese nursing students, and faculty members to make a total of seven home visits. Our students tested blood pressure and glucose levels, and made assessments of families with chronic diseases using family assessment and the Instrumental Daily Activities of Living and Environmental Safety Assessment tools. Health education was also provided to the family members.
After all these activities, UNCG students shared their clinical experiences with Chinese students and the Chinese students did the same. Both groups learned of each other’s health care systems and language. Friendships were made and now a number of students have joined on Facebook.
The UNCG students had a great time working with Chinese students, providing wellness checkups to Chinese residents, visiting both western and Chinese traditional hospitals and experiencing Chinese culture. The China experience helped our students understand Chinese cultural and healthcare systems and the concept of globalization. It is a program that should be continued in the future. The benefits to UNCG students and Chinese students are non-quantifiable, but definitely life transforming.
The students who participated in the program this year are: Ryan Banks, Elisabeth Chinlund, Patricia Chipman, Catherine Crandell, Lindsay Devers, Joelle Gary, Stephanie Hodges, Sarah Post, Katie Riegel, Rebekah Sanders, Caitlin Walter, and Stacey Wright.
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