My experiences: One month in Africa...

Trip Description:
Annually, students and faculty from Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions travel to Ethiopia on an intercultural service learning immersion program. Students from the Doctor of Physical Therapy program do
a clinical rotation in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Following their clinical experience, they meet up with Nursing and Health Services Administration students. Once united, students have some focused time in Addis Ababa, where they tour healthcare facilities and meet with practitioners, scholars, and NGOs. These opportunities provide insight into the health care system, local health issues of great concern, and what is being done to address them. Students then travel to the rural area of Yetebon, Ethiopia. In Yetebon, the entire group engages in health related and general community service projects with a nonprofit partner, Project Mercy.

Map of Ethiopia

Map of Ethiopia
We will be in Addis Ababa and Yetebon (not shown on map)

Sunday, February 28, 2010

My first post!

So, I've never tried this blogging thing, but I thought it would be a fun way to connect with family and friends while I'm overseas.

On March 19th, 2010, I'll be headed with a group of 8 other PT students, 2 nursing students, and 4 faculty members to Africa. We'll spend one month there in all- about 3 weeks in the capital of Ethiopia - Addis Ababa - and the last week working with non-profit organization Project Mercy in the mountain village of Yetebon. I hope to capture every element of the culture and our experiences while we're over there in this blog!

So far, I don't think it's really hit yet that in 18 days, 9 hours and 39 minutes we'll be boarding a plane to head across the world! Trip preparations are in full swing. Last month I finished the immunization process...

Typhoid vaccine
Yellow fever vaccine
Meningitis vaccine
Hep A/B vaccines
Anti-malaria pills (purchased- Doxycline)
Polio vaccine
Routine immunizations (MMR, DPT, etc.)

About $450 dollars later... yikes, but beats bringing back a tropical disease!

I want to thank those who helped with our fundraising for the trip.
To those who sent checks - I'll be putting together a photos/video presentation upon our return and will be sure to send my gracious donors a copy! Thanks a million!

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