IU School of Nursing

At first glance, the journey that Moi University’s Victor Kiplagat and Olivia Watta describe as the “greatest experience” of their young lives began when Kenya Airways Flight 7942 touched down at Indianapolis International Airport after 23 hours of travel from their home country of Kenya.

But, in many ways, their journey began two years earlier, when Moi University School of Nursing’s Dean Dinah Chelagat visited the IU School of Nursing (IUSON) and the school’s celebration of AMPATH, the global partnership between academic health centers that strives to improve health care where access to resources is limited.

The Fulfillment of a Vision

“Victor and Olivia’s visit was the fruition of a dream that began after Dean Chelagat’s visit, and we learned the full impact of AMPATH,” says Rebecca Bartlett Ellis, the IU School of Nursing’s Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Working with IUSON’s Director of Global Programs Barb deRose, AMPATH liaison and IUSON faculty member Jane von Gaudecker, and colleagues and partners at Moi University, the School of Nursing planned its first bilateral student exchange between the two universities.

In phase one, IUSON nursing students Kaytlin Dow, Hannah Rebey, Arianna Winchell, and Briana Miller traveled this past May to Moi University, where they were immersed in the cultural and clinical experiences of nurses in Kenya.

Now it was Victor and Olivia’s turn, as they began a reciprocal six-week visit to Indiana that saw them fully engaged in the life of an IU nursing student.

Their itinerary called for stops, first, at the IU School of Nursing in Indianapolis, and then at the campuses of the IUSON schools in Bloomington and Fort Wayne before a final, farewell return to Indy.

A Whirlwind Tour and World-class Hospitals

First, there was a whirlwind tour of downtown Indianapolis, a welcome reception and hospitality breakfast, followed by “Getting to Know IU Indianapolis,” as Victor and Olivia explored the Indianapolis campus and participated in the J1 visa student orientation as part of International Welcome Week.

Visits followed to the many world-class hospitals that are part of the IUSON Indy campus experience, including Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital and the Bellflower Clinic, IU Health’s Methodist and University hospitals, and Riley Hospital for Children. Here, Victor and Olivia gained valuable insights into the operational aspects of large healthcare institutions.

Away from the classrooms and clinical sites, Victor and Olivia enjoyed making new friends at an AMPATH ice cream social and at an all-afternoon cookout at the lakefront home of Indy hosts Rebecca and Kurt Ellis.

To show their appreciation for this Hoosier hospitality, Victor and Olivia hosted the students and faculty of IU’s free Student Outreach Clinic to a homecooked meal of favorite dishes from their home country consisting of ugali (a dish made from maize flour), sautéed kale & onions, and chapati (a delicious flatbread). As the ultimate hosts, they even taught our students how to make ugali!

French Fries and Football

Victor and Olivia began their visit in Bloomington with a stop at IUSON BL’s Interprofessional Simulation Center (SIM), where students learn essential life-saving skills on lifelike manikins before moving on to actual patients. They also saw a demonstration of the SIM’s state-of-the-art Harvey Cardiac Simulator.

Then, it was time for lunch at a Bloomington “must,” the legendary Nick’s English Hut (a student hangout since 1929). Olivia pronounced Nick’s famous french fries as “the best I’ve had in the States.” A tour of IU Bloomington’s beautiful campus followed.

Olivia and Victor also attended clinical assistant professor Britney Arce’s B253 class with its focus on tips for success in nursing; joined lecturer Samantha Eads and her students at the semester’s first “First Thursdays” festival; attended renowned author Dr. Jean Watson’s presentation on the Art of Caring Science; and sampled some country blues at the BBQ & Blues Festival at McCormick's Creek State Park.

Familiar with the more subdued British version of football, Victor and Olivia were amazed at the larger-than-life spectacle of an American college football game, calling it one of the highlights of their entire trip! “They were ruthless!” marveled Victor at IU’s nationally ranked football team and its 77-3 drubbing of Western Illinois.

“Food, Friends, and Laughter”

Victor and Olivia’s busy itinerary next took them to Fort Wayne. There, they met with nurse leaders and the nursing professional development team at Parkview Hospital, one of IUSON Fort Wayne’s most prominent and respected clinical partners.

The team at Parkview shared a wide array of clinical and professional development opportunities with Victor and Olivia, including an ER Professional Development Day at Parkview Regional Medical Center and a whole day spent on PMRC’s ortho trauma floor, an IV Class Training at the Parkview Education Center, and a B444 Clinical at Parkview Orthopedic Hospital.

At Parkview, the term “hands-on” took on a new meaning for Olivia and Victor, as both donned Oculus visors and handheld remotes to take part in 3D simulations of themselves caring for a patient. Olivia and Victor were also given eye-opening demonstrations of Parkview’s Anatomage 3D virtual anatomy-rendering software and toured IUSON Fort Wayne’s simulation center.

But their visit was not all work and no play. Olivia and Victor dined in downtown Fort Wayne and visited the Crazy Pinz, Fort Wayne’s premier entertainment and event center. Victor watched Clinical Assistant Professor Kristin Bassett’s son play in his Charger Youth football game, and (most notably) both Victor and Olivia shared an on-campus pizza lunch with current IU nursing students and IU alumni from Kenya.

“At the lunch, Victor and Olivia were able to mingle and learn more about the Kenyan community here in Fort Wayne,” Bassett said. “Victor and Olivia thought it was so wonderful and meaningful to meet so many nurses from their country and hear their stories.”

Their stay ended with an evening meal at the Bassett home. Once again, Victor and Olivia did all the shopping and cooking needed to prepare a special meal that “all Kenyans know and love,” said Victor. The Parkview nurses were there, along with friends from throughout the neighborhood.

“It was such a joyous evening filled with wonderful food, friends, and laughter,” Bassett said.

A Life-Changing Experience

Upon returning to Indianapolis, Olivia and Victor joined Assistant Dean of Learning Resources Megan Stuffle for a tour of IUSON Indy’s newly renovated simulation lab. They also learned more about IU’s Interprofessional Practice and Education Center’s “Veterans Trauma and Transparency Program” and spent a full day learning about Marion County’s efforts to promote public health and community care. A meeting with IU Indianapolis' Africana faculty and students at the Madam Walker Legacy Center capped an event-packed four days during their final stay at Indy.

And then, suddenly, it was over: time to return home. As the six weeks wore on, Victor and Olivia confessed to feeling a touch of home sickness and missing their families. But now the moment was bittersweet, as Victor and Olivia had to say goodbye to their new extended family. There were promises on both sides to stay in touch via WhatsApp.

First-time Events

During their visit, there were so many things that Victor and Olivia enjoyed for the very first time, such as bowling, driving a go-kart, swimming (with Victor doing flips off the diving board by the visit’s end!), that unforgettable introduction to American college football … even laser tag!

“This was a life-changing experience for me,” says Olivia.

For her part, Olivia was impressed with Indy’s Wound Care Clinic and its efforts to prevent infection. She intends to take the insights learned from the clinic, the compassionate care of veterans, and the concept of a student-run clinic back with her to Kenya and to share them with others.

Victor was most impressed by Dr. Jean Watson’s presentation on the Science of Nursing Care and the realization that effective nursing is a mixture of concerned patient care and self-care. And both were very impressed by IUSON’s use of high-tech manikins and simulations to teach students essential skills in a safe environment.

Upon Returning Home

Upon returning to Kenya, Victor’s and Olivia’s first order of business is to complete the one-year internships required to obtain their nursing license. In the short term, Victor wants to specialize in oncology nursing, while Olivia’s desire is to be an operating room nurse with the goal of one day earning a master’s degree in global health.

Both say they are determined to take the insights they learned during their six weeks in Indiana and make a difference in Kenya’s nursing profession. And both dream of one day making a return visit to the U.S. to reconnect with their new friends.

“Saying goodbye today,” says Victor with a smile, “makes meeting tomorrow possible.”