Testament to the Commitment of the IUBAT Nursing Students

Christine Eugenio, RN, completed her final preceptoriship through Vancouver Community College at IUBAT and describes the experience as life changing. ” Because of the rich experience I had, I feel I am better equipped as a nurse to inquire into the diverse health care needs of patients based on socio-economic, political, and cultural perspectives.”  She was moved by the IUBAT nursing students ability and dedication, “It was inspiring to see student nurse leaders at IUBAT show commitment to nursing excellence in Bangladesh through research and community involvement.  IUBAT nursing students showed unparalleled resilience and adaptability as they work through an international nursing curriculum. Working with IUBAT nursing students was such a positive and humbling experience. We worked together in various activities which included health assessments for IUBAT students and faculty and for underprivileged school-aged children at School of Hope. The success of those activities showed the crucial role of nurses in community health and helped foster a positive image of nursing in Bangladesh. The success was also a testament to IUBAT nursing students’ strong nursing foundation, determination, and perseverance. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from, share nursing knowledge and experiences with, and to work alongside the future nurse leaders who are bound to change the face of nursing in Bangladesh.”  

Volunteer Experience Positively Impacts Vancouver Nurse

Amy Hall, a Vancouver based occupational health researcher with UBC, volunteered with IUBAT last summer. She writes, “I knew this experience would change the way I saw the world, but not how. It made me realize why people love 1) teaching, and 2) Bangladesh. Because I hadn’t practiced as a nurse in a clinical setting for several years and had never visited the country, I wasn’t sure how my role as a course instructor in IUBAT’s nursing program would go. It turned out to be an amazing teaching and learning experience. One of the most inspiring parts was interacting with IUBAT nursing students at various stages of their education, and seeing the lengths they went to develop confidence and competence in both clinical and academic environments. It made me feel like I was contributing (in a small way) to something of huge importance, for the students as well as the Bangladeshi society. While I watch Bangladesh’s nursing profession grow, I know that this program’s graduates will be leading the way. The friendliness, hospitality and strong capabilities of the Bangladeshi people have left a permanent mark on me, and I will always look back on my IUBAT experience with fondness.”

4 Minute Video on Bangladesh

Elaborating on the article The Path Through the Fields posted earlier, The Economist created a short video displaying the health and social gains by Bangladesh despite the slow economic development in the country.