On Wednesday, May 7, 2014, 16 undergraduate Nursing, Pre-med & Psychology students from Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) will embark on a 24-day journey to Hawaii during the 2014 May Term. They are taking a course called H310/N390: Transcultural Healthcare in Hawaii led by Dr. Noel Kerr, and Dr. Lisa Searing, and over the course of travel will visit the islands of Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii.
The course focuses on the historical, geographical, and cultural factors that influence health and health care delivery in the Hawaiian Islands. The multicultural environment in this state provides a rich opportunity for trans-cultural study. The students will develop an awareness of resources for identifying and meeting the health needs of persons from varied cultural backgrounds, and examine how their own cultural background influences choices in health and self-care. Class activities/studies focus on trans-cultural theories/concepts, study of select cultural groups, cross-cultural interactions/observations, study of cultural aspects of health attitudes/behaviors, and exploration of complementary and/or alternative health care modalities.
During the spring semester, the students have attended 5 classes that offered introductory course content. They have also conducted individual investigative projects on an complementary/alternative therapy of their choice, that will be followed with appropriate site visits while on the island of Oahu.