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The
international programs give students in the
health professions a transcultural service
learning opportunity in a variety of
international locations including the
Dominican Republic and the
Ukraine.
Preparation for Transcultural Experience -
Purposeful Professional Formation
This interprofessional course is designed to
prepare participants to provide culturally
sensitive care to individuals, families, and
communities. Health Sciences students and
clinicians will participate in a semester-long
seminar in preparation for a full time
transcultural experience during which they will
be involved in institutional or community-based
programs that serve health care needs to a host
culture. Recognizing the importance of culture
on development of therapeutic relationships, a
focus of the course is to facilitate the
understanding of cultural differences as they
pertain to health care practices, and to develop
an awareness of own cultural values, belief
system, and biases, that may influence the
delivery of care. Careful facilitation of self
discovery through critical reflection,
discussion, and integration will enhance the
development of professional identity.
Crossroads
Bookclub
"This was a wonderful opportunity
to step away from my normal routine and hectic
schedule and experience life for all its worth
in another culture. Each day, I was challenged
to find the beauty in every person, place and
situation. At times, this was easy; at other
times, it was very hard. I would venture to say
that the most challenging situations were the
most rewarding, and, through them, I learned
about myself - my own fears and hopes and what
sustains me when all else fails. I also learned
much about giving of yourself, even when it
appears from the outside that you have nothing
to give. I am thankful that I had the
opportunity to get a glimpse of so many lives
that are very different than mine, but yet very
much the same.”
Participant in the PT DR 2000 Program
"The ILAC experience will remain
with me ‘para siempre’ -forever. The
fact that I spent several weeks in a developing
country is not the most important thing to leave
with, it is what I will do and how I will
re-examine the world and my faith, and how I
will choose to use my experience once I am back
in the states. The Dominicans and Americans I
grew to know and love remain ingrained on my
heart ‘para siempre’. This experience
has given me a new hope for he world, that there
are still people--both Americans and
Dominicans--that will give just for the sake of
giving and help just for the sake of helping,
para siempre."
Brenda Nieslanik, ILAC Summer Program |
