Introducing this week’s campus celebrities, Cora Lehet, Jacqueline Siatti, and Sarah Buckley!
How did you spend your winter break? Probably catching up with family and friends and indulging in all the things life at college doesn’t offer, I’m sure. Well, these three girls spent nineteen days of break in Asamang, Ghana working in hospitals and small clinics. Keep reading to find out more about these amazing girls, their inspirational experience, and how you could take part in something just like it!
Name: Cora Lehet
School/Year: UNH/ Junior
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Hanover, NH
Activities/Clubs: Chi Omega, Students Taking Action Now Darfur
Rumor has it you were one of the few people who made the trip to Ghana this past winter break. So, tell us some details! How long were you there, who did you go with, and what sorts of things were you doing there?
I was fortunate enough to travel to Asamang, Ghana with the nursing department over winter break. We were there for almost three weeks working in a hospital and other small clinics in nearby villages. We did rotations in maternity, pediatrics, pharmacy, and the lab. We also got to go on a safari the last weekend!
What made you decide to take such an inspirational trip?
I really wanted to see the differences in health care and I’ve always wanted to travel to a third world country. I think having perspective on what we have and how lucky we are is important. When I found out about the trip, I knew it was something I needed to do.
How does one go about seizing an opportunity like this one?
UNH has really great study abroad resources. The nursing department does this trip almost every year, and two other trips through global medical brigades also traveled to Ghana over the break. I knew I wanted to go abroad, but can’t fit a whole semester in to my schedule, so I looked up J-term options and found the trip.
I am sure that this was a pretty amazing experience. Tell us one thing you encountered on your trip that was surprising, eye opening, etc.
Where to begin! It was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. I think the biggest thing I got out of the trip is the concept of how lucky we are in our Durham, NH bubble. In the United States we have so much, but always want more and in Ghana people were so grateful for what little they had. It really makes you put your life in perspective and think about what’s really important in life. I also appreciate health care in the United States a lot more than I did before, too.
Do you plan to do more trips like this one? If so, where would you most like to go?
I definitely plan on doing more trips like this one. I’d love to go to Nepal someday and I plan on going back to Ghana as soon as I can!
Lastly, give us one fun fact about you!
If I could, I would live on fruit. It’s my absolute favorite food!
Name: Jacqueline Siatti
School/Year: HHS 2014
Major: Nursing
Hometown: North Kingstown, RI
Activities/Clubs: Chi Omega
Rumor has it you were one of the few people who made the trip to Ghana this past winter break. So, tell us some details! How long were you there, who did you go with, and what sorts of things were you doing there?
I went with the nursing department for a J-Term class called Global Health in Ghana. Thirteen of us were there for close to 3 weeks! We helped out and had clinical rotations at local clinics and hospitals throughout the Ashanti region in Ghana. We cared for a lot of children and mothers!
What made you decide to take such an inspirational trip?
I have always wanted to study abroad but being a nursing major, we really can’t go for a whole semester so this trip was a perfect opportunity to get my travel fix. Also, I mean it was Africa…I thought the only time I’d see Africa was in my dad’s National Geographic magazines.
How does one go about seizing an opportunity like this one?
Anybody can go on this trip even if you’re not a nursing major. Just have to apply and register for the class.
I am sure that this was a pretty amazing experience. Tell us one thing you encountered on your trip that was surprising, eye opening, etc.
Basically everything about Africa itself is surprising and different but what’s amazing is the connection you make with people. Despite language barriers and cultural differences, a smile is a smile, a wave is a wave, and a hug is a hug. I met some amazing people that I’ll never forget. It was incredible to see how happy people were with so little. A lot of things we saw on the maternity wards were very eye opening but I’ll stay away from details.
Do you plan to do more trips like this one? If so, where would you most like to go?
If the opportunity is there, absolutely. I loved Africa, but I want to try to get to all the continents so maybe somewhere in South America or Asia?
Lastly, give us one fun fact about you!
I lick the seasoning off my Doritos before eating them…is that fun or gross?
Name: Sarah Buckley
School/Year: College of Health and Human Services/ Junior
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Walpole, MA
Activities/Clubs: Chi Omega, Project Sunshine
Rumor has it you were one of the few people who made the trip to Ghana this past winter break. So, tell us some details! How long were you there, who did you go with, and what sorts of things were you doing there?
Yes, I was extremely fortunate to be given the opportunity to travel to Ghana this past J-term with the nursing department. I went with about 12 other UNH students for a total of 19 amazing days in the Asamang region. While we were there we worked at local hospitals and well-child clinics assisting in any way we could. During clinical days we were able to give medications, work with IVs, watch a few births and C-sections, take vital signs, give vaccinations, weigh babies, and practice many of our nursing skills. All of the nurses and doctors took us under their wings and taught us so much about their way of doing things. Outside of the hospital, we spent a lot of our time walking around the local village we lived in talking to the locals, playing games, and immersing ourselves in their culture. We also visited a school and an orphanage, hiked a mountain, went on a safari (got to see some elephants and monkeys), cooled off under a waterfall, and tried a lot of fresh food. Everyone is so welcoming and warm, I absolutely fell in love with the people there It was such a humbling experience that I will cherish forever.
What made you decide to take such an inspirational trip?
One of my good friends went on this trip last year with UNH and had nothing but good things to say. She said it was so rewarding to be able to bring your nursing knowledge and caring personalities to a country that really needs it. Of course I was nervous about traveling to a place like Africa but hearing her stories and experiences inspired me to push myself outside of my comfort zone and do it. Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to travel the world and see what else is out there, what better way than to do it with some friends while carrying out something you are so passionate about?
How does one go about seizing an opportunity like this one?
Keep your eyes open! I saw flyers for the trip around the Nursing department in Hewitt Hall and in some of the dining halls last semester around October. Getting involved in this trip was easier than I thought; I just emailed the contact on the flyer and they walked me through every step whether it was filling out paperwork or getting a visa. I definitely recommend this trip to anyone who is adventurous and looking to go abroad during J-term.
I am sure that this was a pretty amazing experience. Tell us one thing you encountered on your trip that was surprising, eye opening, etc.
The most amazing thing I saw there was the local people. No matter what age, they are welcoming and appreciative of every little thing. They are completely content with nothing. I don’t think I ever saw one person frown—even in the hospitals when they had something to frown about. It was definitely a reality check for me; I have so much to be thankful for and nothing to complain about living in Durham. The local nurses and doctors were heroes to me. They utilized everything they had and never wasted anything all the while providing the best care possible to desperate patients- they deserve a medal. Although the nurses and doctors provided excellent care, the trip really made appreciate the top-notch, advanced medical care that we have in the US compared to Ghana.
Do you plan to do more trips like this one? If so, where would you most like to go?
Yes I would definitely go another trip like this one- in a heartbeat. But I can’t imagine going anywhere else; I would go back to the same village if I went abroad again. The hardest part about leaving Ghana was knowing that I may never see the people that I met again. I’d go back to the Asamang region to see the children I got to know so well to see how they are doing and how much they’ve grown. It would also be so great to see the advances the local hospitals and clinical have made since my last visit.
Lastly, give us one fun fact about you!
In high school, my nickname was Butcher Buckley because I was known to kill jokes because I love to laugh.