NAME: Martin Rayment
DATE OF EXPERIENCE: September 1, 1999 - September 20, 1999
LOCATION OF EXPERIENCE: Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India

WHAT DID YOU DO? Went every morning with nursing students to their clinical psychiatric site. Observed, brief one on one, attended class given by psychiatrist. Also visited state psychiatric hospital, as well as 2 local hospitals, 1 private, 1 government. Observed 2 operations. Visited local jails, including psychiatric wing. Toured major local employer paper mill. Participated in "eye camp" at nearby village clinic.

FINANCIAL AID: The only aid I received was the COTW scholarship.

COMMENTS ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, MONEY, FOOD, LANGUAGE: The local language is Telugu - though many people speak at least some English. Transferring money is straight forward.

TIPS YOU WOULD LIKE TO PASS ON: Hyderabaad was very interesting! I spent the last few days in Mahaballiputam in Tamil Nadu, which is a well traveled beach resort.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS PROGRAM TO A UW STUDENT? Yes.

STRENGTHS OF THE PROGRAM: Being able to create your own experience.

THE DATES OF MY EXPERIENCE: My experience took place between my junior and senior year of the undergraduate nursing program. Most of the following information is general. Some however is specific to BSN 1 students. I left the US for India on August 29th and left India for the US on September 23. Choosing a time to travel to India is obviously a personal one. I selected September in part as the weather was slightly cooler at this time. It also allowed me the chance to work as a nursing technician at Harbor View for the summer, as well as take classes if I wanted. The point of this information is that for anyone interested in the COTW scholarship program, it is important to remember that it does not have to be to the exclusion of all else. There is still the chance to work, go to school, and squeeze in the experience around these other activities.

THE FLIGHT: I flew Malaysian Airlines from LA to Kuala Lumpur, and then from KL to Chennai (Madras). I had an Alaskan Airlines flight to LA. The total cost of the flight with tax was $1220. I used the travel team on University Avenue and about 50th. They were helpful and competitive. I have also heard that an agent on 50th, situated under Cedars restaurant near the Safeway is also very competitive. Basically, anything around $1200 is very good. It is also worth knowing that airlines will provide free accommodation if there is a long layover. The flight I took arrived in KL at midnight and did not leave until 8pm. After phoning the flight company, they provided me with a hotel with a couple of meals free of charge. This was actually a nice way to break up a long and arduous journey. Phone the company if it is not offered.

ARRIVAL: I arrived in Madras and was met by a teacher from the School of Nursing. My flight arrived at about 10pm. I was then taken to a hotel and the following evening we took a train to Rajahmundry. Arriving at such a late time in the evening was not ideal. An arrival in the daytime would perhaps have been easier for all involved. I was also unsure about being met as I am fairly independent, and I felt it may be too much to expect a person to travel overnight just to collect me. This is by no means a concern, and it made my journey much easier. Joseph, the person who met me, paid for most things; trains, hotels, etc., and I simply asked for a bill at the of my trip. It wasn't a problem.

THE TOWN: Rajahmundry is a medium sized town, comparable perhaps to somewhere like Spokane. Pretty much everything is available. Email is available at various places in the town.

ACCOMMODATION: In some ways, this may be different for me being a male visiting a female nursing school. I stayed in Ms. Choppala's house, and ate meals with her. It is perhaps possible that a female student would stay in one of the rooms at the nursing school. All students are required to live and eat at the hotel. I did not pay for accommodation. I made attempts to contribute - most were flatly refused. The house I stayed in had most of the facilities one needed.

THE SCHOOL: The school is a 3 year nursing program which only accepts single women between the ages of 18 and 25. It is roughly equivalent to an AA degree. Students go to a variety of sites - clinics and hospitals. It would be possible to go to any of the various sites for all or part of the time.

EXPERIENCE: My interest was with psychiatric care, so I chose to attend the psychiatric clinical. I went to a nearby psychiatric hospital where I performed a few one to one interviews with patients. I observed some of the therapies such as ECTs. aversion therapy and family group work. I also attended a class taught by the psychiatrist. The class was taught in English. The Psychiatrist - Dr. Reddy - is a very inspiring man. He ha done a great deal to further the understanding of psychiatric illness in Southern India. As well as this clinical site, I also visited the State Psychiatric Hospital, as well as two regular hospitals, where other students performed their clinicals. I observed two operations, visited various units, and spent time with nurses and doctors. On top of this, I toured the local prison, went to the crematorium, as well as the major local employer - the paper mill. These latter trips were a good adjunct to nursing, very much adding to my overall sense of health and illness in an other society. All of these trips were arranged by my request. I quickly learned that Indian people are frank and eager to help. If I requested something that was not possible I was told so. Otherwise, I asked whether such a visit was possible and a few days later taken to the site. The point of this is that anything you want to do may very well be possible. You are in some ways an honored guest, and your interest is appreciated. Another day of clinical was spent at a local "eye camp", where people from the local villages attended eye screening. The lack of dietary information means that blindness due to lack of vitamin A is rampant. Financial burdens are obviously also an issue. The camp was an excellent opportunity to be involved in nursing care in a rural setting. It also gave me an idea about the differences in living conditions between rural and urban setting.

WHAT TO TAKE AND NOT TO TAKE: The advice from the travel nurse is perhaps the best regarding drugs and prevention. Importantly, go to Hall Health while you are registered for classes. It is less-expensive. I had some of my shots done at the Public Health Department downtown. They are less expensive than Hall Health, although if you see a nurse, she cannot prescribe medication so you will have to go elsewhere for other prescriptions. With hindsight I would go to Hall Health and do it one hit. I took some emergency water purification tablets which I did not use. Bottled-water is readily available. I did not get sick, and the precaution of good hand-washing and drinking only bottled water seemed to do the trick. I did take some anti-bacterial gel which I used for the first few days. I didn't take a mosquito net, but would if I return. The only time I was bitten was at night. Long pants and socks are pretty essential at dusk. Malaria is not considered a major consideration in the town, more in the rural areas. It is definitely a possibility though. I took the anti-malarial Doxycycline. Be cautious about Mefloquine - I've had it before and it made me a little crazy! I took a couple of smart sets of clothes for first introductions, as well as my clinical uniform. I wore the lab coat some of the time. Women are probably encouraged to take long skirts/dresses - this obviously contradicts the long pants and sock suggestion.

Going to the University Bookstore prior to departure is worthwhile. Ask them if they have any out of print nursing books. I received about 8 free of charge. The school is appreciative of any literature you can take. Other supplies are not a big issue.

You need a visa. If you are applying from Seattle, the Consulate you need to use is in San Francisco. I obtained the address from a website. I think the search words I used were Indian Visas? The cost is $50 for US citizens for a visa of 6 months.

I took presents for Ms. Choppala, one for the Psychiatrist and one for Joseph who met me at the airport. What to take is difficult. I took a couple of nice pens and some perfume and lotions for Ms. Choppala. I think they were appreciated. If I went again I would take some candy for the Nursing student, about 100.

MOST IMPORTANT: I had a fantastic time!! I learned a lot about nursing in a different community, and much more about threats to health. It also helped to focus my interests and inspired me to return to graduate school. I think it will make me a better nurse. I f I were to give advice I would say be prepared to be somewhat overwhelmed by the generosity and sense of community. Do not expect much time for yourself. If you plan to travel in India I would probably recommend going after your stay, it is a good introduction into Indian society. Ms. Choppala et al may very well feel responsible for you and worry about your safety. Make it clear ahead of time how long you will be staying for and what is important for you to learn. Also, do a better job than I about sending a profile of yourself, maybe a photo and any worries you have. Enjoy the food - it's awesome. Do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in going.