The Joys and Rewards of Volunteering with IUBAT

Rebecca Campalans, a geriatric nurse with an interest in volunteering abroad, traveled to Dhaka as an instructor in the med/surg course and the nursing research course at IUBAT during the monsoon season earlier this year. She writes, “What was it like? I had a huge learning curve as a first time nursing instructor – I have a new appreciation for all the professors I ever had and who had me as a student!! I was one of those students who asked LOTS of questions!! J I never knew how much work it took for the instructor to prepare for lecture and clinical time. One of the best experiences I had was the clinical rotation at the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, ICDDR, B. This is better known as “The Cholera Hospital”. The work the organization does is amazing and my students loved the fast-paced environment. For my Nursing Research class, I had some great students who had a chance to develop a research proposal for the class. Many of the students showed original thought and innovation in the subject matters selected. I was really impressed and hope to follow their progress as they begin data collection in the coming year.”

She concludes by saying, “I encourage anyone who is interested in pursuing international health, international volunteer work, and/or the nurse educator role, volunteer with the Bangladesh Health Project.With all its challenges, there was also a lot of laughter, and I would do it again!”

BC Maternity Nurse Shares Experiences from IUBAT

Rachel Thiessen, a maternal child health nurse from BC, visited Bangladesh during the summer semester of 2012. Amidst the heat and dust, she experienced the friendliness and intriguing nature of the colourful city of Dhaka. About her time at IUBAT she writes, “The summer semester focused on abnormal obstetrical situations. Since I have only two years of nursing experience in maternity nursing, this proved to be somewhat of a challenge. Perhaps I underestimated the mountains of work that go into preparing course lectures, assignments, marking, completing clinical evaluations and supervising clinical placements. The eight students in my class surprised me with their verbal English and I was impressed with their ability to communicate with me.”

She continues, “IUBAT is on the right path to graduating competent nurses who have the opportunity to change the face of nursing in the future for Bangladesh. And a lot of this is due in large part to having volunteer faculty who come to the university to pass on their knowledge and skills across various nursing practice settings. All in all, despite the day to day challenges, the IUBAT health project is well worth the time invested, both professionally and personally.”

IUBAT students inspire

Sam Simpson visited IUBAT during the fall trimester 2011. She writes, “Since volunteering in the Nursing Program, I have had Bangladesh ‘under my skin’.  I suspect that it will remain there for the rest of my life.  The sheer number of people, how hard they work, the poverty, the noise, the climate and the pollution all made indelible impressions.   And the nursing students took a chunk of my heart and continue to inspire me with their spirit and determination.

It is challenging to compare my experience in Bangladesh with my incredibly comfortable life in rural British Columbia.  How does my experience there inform my life here?   How can I integrate these diametrically opposed realities?  Several months after my return, I gave two presentations to friends and neighbours and the general public.  Organizing these helped me to focus on the important parts of my time at IUBAT.  Presenting my slide shows has not resolved my dilemma of cultural/economic adjustment but has certainly assisted me.   And the modest Canadian dollar donations to the Bangladesh Health Project will translate into many more taka!”