Submitted by Frank Sullivan on the 2016 summer session program in the British Virgin Islands sponsored by the College of Health Sciences…
As the program comes to an end, I am able to reflect on the many experiences I’ve had. I had said in my application that I wanted to experience the sport culture of a different area, and I found a way to do that. I played and taught basketball at the local primary school every weekday. I spent 1-2 hours a day teaching fundamentals and the teamwork aspects of basketball to the 7-13 year old children. My other great experience came in the field of study I intended to learn in, which is nursing. I became friends with a male nurse at Peeble’s Hospital, the hospital where we spent our time. He shared information and told me stories about his various experiences. The information he told me reinforced my desire to continue down the career path I have chosen. Especially coming from a male nurse, I was happy to be given all the techniques and advice he had to offer. I learned far more from the nurses and patients than they learned from me. Finally, I learned that there are significant cultural differences that impact the way that I as a nurse can operate. Including the cultural ways that I am not used to was hard, but I learned to incorporate them into my practices. Throughout my two weeks, I have learned an immeasurably large amount of information and I can’t wait to share it with my friends, family and peers.