Submitted by Jessica Kenney on the 2018 winter session program in South Africa sponsored by the Department of Nursing…
The first week abroad has been filled with getting to meet new people and becoming engrossed in the South African culture. On the first day of class, we each chose a word that will set the pace for the program. My word was curious. I shared this word due to my urge to explore, see, learn and do everything that this opportunity has to offer. On day three, the adventure began. Bright and early we climbed Lions Head, a prominent landmark in South Africa. We then embarked on a sightseeing tour that brought us all around Cape Town. This was amazing! Just from my view from the hotel balcony, I knew the city was beautiful, but seeing it in its entirety was absolutely breathtaking. On January 5th, Talita, a midwife, came to speak to us about health care practices in South Africa and introduced us to clinicals abroad. She said, “A smile doesn’t need a language. Love is an action, not a word.” I reminded myself of this quote as I started my day at each clinical site. As the second week abroad quickly approached, it was time to do what we all came here to do – deliver some babies and provide support to laboring women! Throughout the week, I rotated through three clinics and two hospitals. Each site shared similarities in practices, but many differences were noted. While at the hospitals, the sisters (the Africa term for nurses) were so eager to educate women. They wanted to ensure that all moms felt comfortable providing care to their babies and were CPR certified in case of an emergency. The hospitals even had separate areas for mothers to live in after being medically cleared if their baby remained at the hospital for further observation. At the clinicals, the sisters saw many more patients a day and were very quick to get each patient seen. The sisters performed more low intensity work as compared to sisters working in a higher level hospital. As compared to America, cesarean sections and epidurals/pain medications are pushed way less in South Africa, with pain medication almost unheard of for use during a normal vaginal delivery. While at the hospitals, I had the opportunity to assist in a vaginal delivery, view a cesarean section, administer medications to babies in the NICU, and provide some necessary TLC for abandoned babies. While at the clinicals, I performed antenatal assessments, measured fundal height, listened for fetal heart tones, and provided labor support to birthing moms. I have learned so much not only about health care, but about the South African culture and way of life. To help engage us with the culture, we had a group dinner at Gold, in which a 14-course authentic African meal was accompanied by a drumming lesson and vocal performances from locals of South Africa. Not only was the food delicious, but the experience itself was one I’ll never forget. Each person got their own drum placed at their seat and their faces painted with beautiful patterns. We were taught several different beats and some of us even got to perform on stage! We continued to engage in the music culture during a bike tour around a shanty township. After enjoying a delicious hand-cooked African meal made by a resident of the community, two locals gave us a drumming lesson right outside the home. With each beat came more people wanting to watch us play. Kids ran over and wanted to play right alongside us. After the drumming lesson, we toured the community and their local library to learn about what resources were available. It was so beautiful to see everyone coming together to help others in need in such a small, run down community. Everyone welcomed us with open arms, it was very humbling. The first two weeks have been absolutely incredible. I’m so excited to see what is to come as we pack our bags and get ready to head to Tanzania!
