Joni Holsem of Grandville, MI, travels to Bahamas to volunteer, witness

2011 Jan 10

Joni Holsem, a junior Nursing major from Grandville, MI, is on a cross-cultural encounter to the Bahamas this week to volunteer in a nation of need, but to also learn from the experiences.

This trip is a part of an interdepartmental January Term course at HU called "Cross-Cultural Encounter in the Bahamas." The first week of class was spent on campus where students learned about the Bahamian and Haitian people who will be the recipients of their service while in Nassau, Bahamas. Cultural and behavioral expectations were also covered in class as well as the preparation of medical and evangelical materials. They also practiced sharing personal faith stories.

The second part of the experience is taking place in the Bahamas this week. Nursing students will conduct medical assessments and provide medical care under the supervision of Dr. Margaret Winter, director of the nursing program at HU, and a local physician. This will provide nursing candidates with the training of practical skills while providing much needed care to relocated refugees and other people in poverty. Education and students from other departments (supervised by Dr. Susie Burson, assistant professor of education at HU) will serve as volunteers in a local school setting. They will work alongside classroom teachers to provide tutoring, supervision and a number of other services to support the classroom teacher. Both groups will work together to provide an evening VBS (Vacation Bible School) carnival for children in the community.

You may follow the team at their blog: bahamasmissionstrip.blogspot.com.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America's Best Colleges. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution to its "Best in the Midwest" list. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

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