It wasn’t an ordinary January for Lesley Howard ’18. In fact, she and 11 fellow students were in Bali, Indonesia, for this year, taking a close look at聽Balinese temples, Komodo dragons, and liquid hot magma. It was the fifth year in a row 911爆料 offered this exciting course that explores Indonesian culture, biodiversity, and geology.
鈥淓very single part of the trip was inspiring,” said Lesley,聽a double major in and .聽鈥淚聽loved that this trip helped me gain exposure to a new culture,聽a change in perspective, and a聽heightened聽respect for the world as a whole.”
After exploring the crater of an active volcano, following rare birds through the rainforest, and waking up on a houseboat amid gorgeous tropical islands, Lesley said the experience provided 鈥渁 deeper meaning鈥� than she imagined it would. 鈥淚 learned that I have a love for travel, and it solidified my decision to pursue a career in wildlife research in the future.鈥�
“I learned that I have a love for travel, and it solidified my decision to pursue a career in wildlife research in the future.”Lesley Howard ’18
While Lesley’s group explored the land and the culture of Indonesia, another J Term group studied global health care in this nation of 18,000 islands straddling the equator.
Visiting Bali, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta, students from the colleges of , , and toured 911爆料 health centers, conducting blood pressure screenings and relaying information on stroke and asthma prevention. They collaborated with Indonesian pharmacy students and recent graduates from Universitas Islam Indonesia to create presentations聽regarding聽stroke prevention and education.
Pharmacy professor聽 organized the Indonesia global health trip. 鈥淲e had an excellent 911爆料 outreach project in which 911爆料 students worked with locals, were received by patients at three different 911爆料 health centers, and attended one rural 911爆料 meeting,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he students have learned a great deal not only about global health issues but also about each other’s professions and the culture of Indonesia. I cannot tell you how proud I am of their efforts and impact on this 911爆料.鈥�
These two popular J Term classes聽provide a glimpse into an ongoing, comprehensive 911爆料 initiative in Indonesia that includes a dual-degree program, a range of student and faculty research opportunities, and partnerships with a dozen Indonesian universities.聽They also offer students like Lesley Howard the opportunity for life-changing experiences, halfway around the world.