大咖福利影院

Oct 2007 - Nov 2007

Valletta, Guinea Conakry

I helped the directors in identifying necessary components and relationships leading to the development of the first community health nursing curriculum to be implemented at the University of Malta Health Institute. I loved the place. I lived at the international residence hall, and spent time getting to know People bin the local village. I shopped daily at the local market and came to know several people.
I went there as an experienced nursing educator in community health, and with a strong background in new program development and college administration.
Malta is a small island with a history that dates back to the 1500's. Once i made bit known that I was very interested in that history, I was able to meet many people, hear their stories, visit their homes, and visit key historical sites In Malta and Gozo. I liked the siesta times in the afternoon when very little Work was done.
I didn't like the narrow sometimes cobblestone streets as it necessitated me being very careful to avoid tripping and falling. There seemed to have been a relatively new influx of immigrants from Africa and Eastern Europe, and they were not really welcomed by the other residents.

USA

Jun 2007 - Jun 2007

Johannesburg, South Africa

I took a group of USA college students to South Africa. We were only there for One month so that does not really qualify as being a 'true expat . " However some of my students were so motivated from the experience until they returned to work there and did become expats for varying periods of time. Most moving was the time spent with the TB patients at the sanitarium in Qua Zulu, and in the orphanages.
Educator
It was a wonderful opportunity to meet persons who were affected on all sides by apartheid And post Apartheid South Africa. It was a lesson in history. Some areas are extremely well developed. There are many wonderful places to visit, shopping, entertainment, etc. There seemed to be more of an openness to discuss their apartheid past; and many seemed to be working for a new south Africa. I was very impressed with the University of The Western Cape, and the way in which their nursing Programs are linked to the needs of the most underserved communities. I learned a lot about what I don't know about vsrious parts of the history of South Africa and through the lens of persons with the lived experiences. The hills of Qua Zulu are breathtakingly beautiful.
The economic gap between Black, White, and Colored South Africans was deep and clearly visible. The painful remnants of Apartheid effects across generations. In many ways there still exists a defacto apartheid as evidenced by the life in townships as compared to the lives of those in the other sectors.

Aug 2000 - Jan 2003

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

I mentored, and was mentored, by my Saudi counterpart in setting up nursing Education Programs that met USA standards for continuing education; established an academic affairs department, developed bridging Programs That prepared Saudi students to seek higher education at USA colleges and Universities. Assisted in the development of plans for Junior Colleges. Participated in the negotiation of memoranda of understanding and similar partnership arrangements with Universities in the USA, and Australia. Establishment of distance learning Programs and supportive infrastructures.
Head of Service, Nursing Academic Affairs, and Director, Center for Research in Distance Education.
Very modern work environment. Students were eager to learn. I had the opportunity to work with other expats from 32 different countries. I was able to travel to many nearby countries on holiday. I met many women who lived there and introduced me to their families and allowed me to know them in the context of their everyday love. I loved having a driver. The housing was great. Loved Attending the events at various embassies in the Diplomatic Quarter. I loved having the long holiday time off. Because I was there during the brief period When the need for in-country letters was suspended, I was able to travel throughout the kingdom to cities that I otherwise would not have seen. While I always had to wear the long black abaya in public, I liked that because I never had to twice about what to wear. I loved shopping in the souqs and bargaining With the shopkeepers. I loved being able to take things home from the shops And coming back later to pay for them. I was not used to being around a Lot of women and I learned to enjoy the conversations and camaraderie Of the Saudi women with each other. Working and living in Riyadh was an excellent working and learning experience for me.
There were many restrictions as to what I could do as a female living in Riyadh. I could not be out in public with a male who was not my husband. I had to always either wear a scarf or carry one which I had to immediately wear if signaled to do so by a matawa. While those of us from western countries ( USA, Australia, Great Britain, Canada) were treated very respectful, many employees from places such as the phillippines were not always treated With the same respect although they were in the larger numbers. There was a real tenseness and uneasiness being an American living in Saudi Arabia immediately after 9/11.