Senior exercise science major Chasity Sullivan had planned to go to Uganda this summer on a study abroad focusing on community engagement, but the trip was cancelled. Undeterred in her wish to see Africa, this Honors College student joined our counseling/education leadership group even though she knew no one.
She’s been assertive in talking to the Ethiopian people, asking them to help her better speak the Amharic language, and they are happy to oblige. Because she plans to attend physician assistant’s school after graduation, she visited Bahir Dar’s local hospitals to see how their medical system works and she also gave a presentation to professors and administrators at Bahir Dar University on metabolic syndrome and heart disease.
“I wanted to visit a place completely different from our culture. I wanted a culture shock,” she said. Has she had one? “Yes, I like seeing the differences.” She has enjoyed these differences and the people of Ethiopia so much that she plans to come back next spring when the Reich College of Education faculty plan to sponsor the same study abroad so she can work with the hospitals more.
“This is inspiring me to go back to the U.S. and learn as much as I can,” Chasity said.
She is completing an independent study during this program, spending most of her time with the counseling graduate students who are studying cross-cultural counseling. Both her career field and theirs are helping professions, and Chasity said that means she needs to strengthen her ability to work with a variety of people.
“Understanding different cultures is important,” said Chastity.“I’m studying with counselors, but anyone in a helping profession needs to tailor our services to that particular person to give them the best care possible.”
These types of experiences aren’t something you can just read about. “It’s exciting to meet people from a different culture. I definitely recommend others do a study abroad,” she said.
She’s been assertive in talking to the Ethiopian people, asking them to help her better speak the Amharic language, and they are happy to oblige. Because she plans to attend physician assistant’s school after graduation, she visited Bahir Dar’s local hospitals to see how their medical system works and she also gave a presentation to professors and administrators at Bahir Dar University on metabolic syndrome and heart disease.
“I wanted to visit a place completely different from our culture. I wanted a culture shock,” she said. Has she had one? “Yes, I like seeing the differences.” She has enjoyed these differences and the people of Ethiopia so much that she plans to come back next spring when the Reich College of Education faculty plan to sponsor the same study abroad so she can work with the hospitals more.
“This is inspiring me to go back to the U.S. and learn as much as I can,” Chasity said.
She is completing an independent study during this program, spending most of her time with the counseling graduate students who are studying cross-cultural counseling. Both her career field and theirs are helping professions, and Chasity said that means she needs to strengthen her ability to work with a variety of people.
“Understanding different cultures is important,” said Chastity.“I’m studying with counselors, but anyone in a helping profession needs to tailor our services to that particular person to give them the best care possible.”
These types of experiences aren’t something you can just read about. “It’s exciting to meet people from a different culture. I definitely recommend others do a study abroad,” she said.