Eastern Connecticut State University Student Nicole Johnson of Grafton Travels to Nepal

2011 Oct 13

Nicole Johnson '13 of Grafton and nine other psychology majors, along with Associate Professor of Psychology Carlos Escoto, recently traveled to the country of Nepal. Johnson is majoring in Psychology. Geeta Pfau, retired associate director of health services and ITS trainer Barbara Williams also accompanied the students on the trip.

The trip was part of a Comparative Health Psychology course designed to provide students with an overview of social, psychological and education aspects of health from an East Asian perspective, and a look at the HIV pandemic affecting Nepal. For many students, discovering the Buddhist temples and shrines throughout Nepal was the highlight of the trip, as the shrines and temples represent symbols of hope for Nepali people.

The students gained insight into Nepal's health care system by visiting the Ayurveda Health Home, which practices health from a holistic approach; Maiti Nepal, a women's shelter for women involved in sex-trafficking, sexual abuse and domestic violence; Cattrapati Free Clinic, which provides free health care for those who cannot afford it; MaryKnoll Nepal, the first psychiatric hospital solely for helping the mentally ill; and other hospitals. When visiting MaryKnoll Nepal, the students also learned how doctors use cow milk as agricultural therapy.

Eastern Connecticut State University is part of the Connecticut State University System (CSUS) and is the state's public liberal arts university. Eastern serves more than 5,600 students each year on its Willimantic campus.