Students volunteer, gain skills in health care during trip to Costa Rica
Eight students in the Waters College of Health Professions received hands-on training while volunteering in a skilled nursing facility in Costa Rica under the direction of assistant professors Nancy Henderson, Ph.D., and Haley Worst, DPT.
The group consisted of five undergraduate rehabilitation sciences students, an undergraduate nutrition and food science student and two graduate physical therapy students.
“We were in Costa Rica to shadow both a physical therapist and nurse to see the differences in health care in Costa Rica and the United States,” stated Brooke Alley, senior rehabilitation sciences major. “We played games with the patients, we were able to help with transfers, help during feeding time, help brush their teeth and we were there to support the staff.”
Visiting the newly completed nursing home and meeting the residents was one of her most memorable experiences on the trip.
“I speak limited Spanish and only one of the patients could speak English, but the lack of communication did not deter the relationships I formed with these patients,” said Alley. “One of the residents taught me how to play dominoes and preceded to beat me almost every time. I got to dance with some of the patients and they taught me some of the exercises that they had to do for physical therapy. It was special learning about their passions and family. When it was time to leave, it was hard to say goodbye, and sad when they asked us when we were coming back, and we had to tell them not until next year.”
To learn more about study abroad opportunities please visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/international.
Posted in My News