Friday, December 30, 2011

Jamaica Falmouth Excitement!!!

My classmates and myself are leaving for Jamaica January 2, 2012. I am excited, anxious and just Blessed to be able to have the opportunity to be both humbled and helpful.  I feel excited to meet the people, the children and experience a culture so vastly different from my own.  I have always felt we are put on this earth for a reason and it is our job to find out what that reason is. I feel Falmouth and this wonderful experience is that reason.

I am anxious because I pray they will accept me like I will them. I am eager to learn about their views on education, Americans and just be absorbed in their way of life. I look forward to learning, teaching and making relationships like none other.  I look at this like a gift that is put before me, and I have to do with it as much as I possibly can.

This trip means more to me than just going to Jamaica. I don't think words right now can express what it means.

I am excited to work with the children and just be overwhelmed by their excitement to meet us. I pray I touch the life of just one child if not all during my stay in Falmouth and I hope the sun beats down on my face and the water cools my feet and if I only experience that paradise just this one time in my life, it will be well worth it!

I look forward to my next entry!

Nikki White

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Jamaica: Day 1 in the Clinic

Merging three teams in a clinic setting provides some challenges. The clinic is used by US-based teams year round and one never knows what supplies and medications will be available when arriving at the clinic. Each team brings some medication and supplies. Today we saw 55 patients; very good for day one. Students from all three groups got to know each other and worked well together. The patients were appreciative of the quality health care they received and expressed their thanks with large smiles and words of blessing for the team members. At the end of the day students recounted some of the most memorable moments: (1) seeing how similar the health problems in Jamaica are to the those in the US but how different the healthcare system and access is; (2) observing the poor living conditions of many Jamaicans; (3) seeing how gracious and patient the people are; and (4) feeling as though they were able to contribute positively to the care of another human being. 

Lunch: Juicy Patties (Jamaican version of a Hot Pocket), mac and cheese, fruit\vegetables
Dinner: Fried chicken, fried plantains, fruit/vegetables/salad, brownies

NO chance of losing weight on this trip!

Jamaica: Traveling to Falmouth

Arriving at the Kansas City airport at 5am, students and faculty were excited for the adventure to begin. The trip to Falmouth was long and fraught with delays. However, the team arrived in Falmouth, Jamaica, by 730pm on Tuesday December 27, 2011. One student’s luggage did not make it to Jamaica…hopefully it will arrive tomorrow. Her peers and faculty provided her with clothing and hygiene supplies to make it through the night and day one of clinic. The church ladies prepared a welcome dinner of chicken, beef, rice and peas, potato salad, fresh cucumbers and tomatoes and spice cake. Everyone was fully satisfied and ready to get to bed. 

Jamaica: Pre-Trip Plans

Graceland nursing students are traveling to Falmouth, Jamaica to work with other teams in a primary care clinic. There will also be a team of pharmacy students from Kansas City and a team of nurses and nursing students from Arizona at the clinic. Students will check patients in, work in the pharmacy, work in the patient rooms with the primary care providers, and assist with home visits as needed. A day at the beach and a final day at  a hotel are also planned. 

Monday, December 26, 2011

Philippines: Preparing for Departure

SIFE is preparing for departure to the Philippines on Thursday, January 12th and we couldn't be more excited!  Our SIFE winterterm team is made up of six students, Ian Christenson, Hilary Martin, Ethan Pitt, Thomas Vogelsang, Trent Ranney and me, Taylor Johnson.  Our chaperone for the trip is Andy Betts from Outreach International...we've trained him hard in order to keep up with us!  Also accompanying our team is Wayne Rowe, Outreach International's wonderful photographer.
For this project, we have partnered with Outreach International and the OPI (Outreach Philippines Inc.) team and we look forward to building this partnership into a lasting relationship.
This Winterterm is an opportunity for SIFE and OPI to work together on existing projects as well as future possible projects.  Our SIFE Winterterm team's first task in Philippines is to become familiar with Outreach International's Participatory Human Development Process (PHDP).  This is a long term process made up of  9 steps beginning with integration, which we will become well aquatinted with.
We are so excited to meet the people in the Philippines and start our Winterterm experience!

Stay tuned for other blogs from our team! :)


Friday, December 9, 2011

Welcome!

Graceland University would like to welcome you to our Winter Term Travelers blog! Here you will find posts from current students and faculty studying abroad throughout the month of January.  This year Graceland is offering six courses abroad; taking students to the nations of Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, the Philippines and Zambia. Check back often and follow along as we hear unique perspectives throughout Winter Term 2012!