Eleven ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students in the Class of 2012 Periclean Scholars program joined two faculty mentors in Jamkhed, India, this week through a trip made possible by the Carole and Douglas Bruns Endowment for International Service Learning.
Professor Tom Arcaro, director of Project Pericles at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, and associate professor Martin Kamela are leading the experience involving the Comprehensive Rural Health Project.
Students interacted on the first day with one of the groups participating in the Adolescent Girls Program, which the Periclean Scholars class has helped finance through recent fundraising. After sitting in on a session about personal hygiene, the Indian girls displayed their artistic ability through henna and colorful chalk designs.
The girls also demonstrated how they make jewelry, which the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students plan to bring back to the United States to sell as a fundraising project. Periclean scholars were able to communicate and interact with the adolescent girls through body language.
A few Indian girls knew English and were able to teach the scholars Marathi phrases. In addition, some ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students were able to observe a village health workers session. The group works to promote primary health care in villages around Jamkhed, and represents one of CRHP’s main objectives.
Students will begin individual research projects and internships over the next few weeks while learning more about CRHP.
The Carole and Douglas Bruns Endowment for International Service Learning funds scholarships to enable ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students to spend a semester or summer abroad while participating in an internship and/or working with a non-governmental or non-religious organization. The program enables as many as six students to serve abroad each year.
The fund was established in 2007 with a $250,000 gift from Carole and Douglas Bruns, the parent of an ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ alumna.
– Information submitted by Jamie Milliski ’12