Kansas University / UPCN Exchange Scholars Reunion
UPCN - Kansas Exchange Scholarship program recipients had the chance to reminisce their experiences as Kansas University exchange students during the recent UPNAAI reunion on August 3. This exchange program enables 2 UPCN students to spend one year at the University of Kansas and in exchange, two KU nursing students spend one year at the University of the Philippines College of Nursing. High Academic Achievement and an adventurous interest in learning about nursing in a foreign land are the most important qualifications. At that time, the major difference in the education of a nurse in the two schools is that liberal arts and nursing courses are combined throughout the four years at the UP while students at KU need to complete two years of liberal arts study by the time they take a nursing course at KU Medical Center. The exchange program began in 1960 for medical students at the University of the Philippines and University of Kansas. The program was expanded in 1965 to include the selection of UPCN scholars through additional funds granted by the China Medical Board of New York, the program sponsor. The first recipients came from Class 1967 with Josie Francisco-Villanueva, current UPNAAI President and Luzviminda Aniceto-Wasseluk, currently Dean of a College of Nursing in Illinois, as the Pioneers of the program.
�Being the pioneers of this program was an adventure,� according to Josie. �I was young, unsure of so many things; anxious how people would accept us, and how much they would be interested to meet us and learn about our country. To my surprise, when we reached Kansas City, the people were very friendly and warm, although they knew very little about the Philippines.� This experience gave the scholars the opportunity to care for the sick of another country. They realized that patients have the same needs although they have different lifestyles and cultures. They also learned to individualize patients� needs and respect the culture in which people lived. They learned the concept of cultural diversity in 1966. Josie always felt UPCN curriculum was so progressive that promotion of health, preventive care, cultural diversity, home health nursing were emphasized throughout the nursing courses. The experience was invaluable and memories unforgettable. Thank you, Alma Mater.
