Spring Break
Study abroad, Health Sciences style
Jheel Mehta
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: News
Most study abroad trips give students opportunities to study at universities in different countries and learn about the cultures. But when health sciences students study abroad, they do all that while providing healthcare to the country's people.
A discussion of the study abroad opportunities available to health sciences students was held on Thursday, Jan. 17 in the new Health Sciences Building on the Hospital Hill Campus. Dr. Angela Garner, associate professor in the School of Medicine, shared her experiences with health sciences students on the past study-abroad trips with which she has been involved.
"It is hard work, but very rewarding," Garner said.
Last year, Garner took six students with her on a trip. They had clinics set up at different locations every morning and saw approximately 500 people each day. For Garner, the most rewarding moment came when they were passing out eyeglasses.
"I can knit now," an elderly lady told Garner.
Dr. Thad Wilson, Associate Dean in the School of Nursing, discussed his previous study abroad trips. He has been taking students on trips for the past three years and also feels it's an experience that is educational and very rewarding.
Prior to the trip there is a mandatory orientation to help students know how to pack for the trip and to understand the history, background, culture and language of the country in which they will study.
"It's a life-awakening event," said Dr. Joseph Spalitto, clinical instructor in the School of Dentistry.
Spalitto has been going to Guatemala for the past 12 years. For everything Spalitto has done for the people of Guatemala, he was appointed by the Guatemala Government to the State Department five years ago. He has taken up to 50 medical students at a time on trips and has seen 68 surgeries in one day. The weekends, however, are for sight-seeing. The doctors have taken students hiking, scuba diving, visiting temples and so forth to explore the places they are visiting.
The study abroad trips for students in health sciences provide experiences they can take back with them and the chance to help the people they meet.
jmehta@unews.com
A discussion of the study abroad opportunities available to health sciences students was held on Thursday, Jan. 17 in the new Health Sciences Building on the Hospital Hill Campus. Dr. Angela Garner, associate professor in the School of Medicine, shared her experiences with health sciences students on the past study-abroad trips with which she has been involved.
"It is hard work, but very rewarding," Garner said.
Last year, Garner took six students with her on a trip. They had clinics set up at different locations every morning and saw approximately 500 people each day. For Garner, the most rewarding moment came when they were passing out eyeglasses.
"I can knit now," an elderly lady told Garner.
Dr. Thad Wilson, Associate Dean in the School of Nursing, discussed his previous study abroad trips. He has been taking students on trips for the past three years and also feels it's an experience that is educational and very rewarding.
Prior to the trip there is a mandatory orientation to help students know how to pack for the trip and to understand the history, background, culture and language of the country in which they will study.
"It's a life-awakening event," said Dr. Joseph Spalitto, clinical instructor in the School of Dentistry.
Spalitto has been going to Guatemala for the past 12 years. For everything Spalitto has done for the people of Guatemala, he was appointed by the Guatemala Government to the State Department five years ago. He has taken up to 50 medical students at a time on trips and has seen 68 surgeries in one day. The weekends, however, are for sight-seeing. The doctors have taken students hiking, scuba diving, visiting temples and so forth to explore the places they are visiting.
The study abroad trips for students in health sciences provide experiences they can take back with them and the chance to help the people they meet.
jmehta@unews.com
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