William Penn Life, 2008 (43. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2008-12-01 / 12. szám
Understanding beyond words Pitt student overcomes language, cultural barriers to establish connection with refugees in Hungary by Michelle S. Anderson Michelle Anderson is a graduate at the University of Pittsburgh, working towards a master's degree in occupational therapy. This past summer, she was able to study abroad in Budapest with a grant from the university's Hungarian Room Committee. What follows is an account of her personal experience in Hungary. In Budapest, I worked as an intern with the Cordelia Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims. I spent part of my time working at the Foundation headquarters in Budapest. My coworkers were extremely warm and kind. They would always go out of their way to make me feel comfortable and at ease. I felt as if they were my older siblings who wanted to do anything they could to help me. Another fraction of my time was spent living at a refugee camp in a little town called Bicske, which is about 45 minutes outside the city by bus. At the acceptation center, or refugee camp, there were about 200 people seeking asylum. From four months old to 70 years old, they encompassed all realms of life. There were persons from Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Tibet, and Eritrea. The average length of stay in the acceptation center is six months, although a request for an extension for up to one year can be made. For my research, the Cordelia Foundation arranged for me to provide psychosocial group therapy sessions to a group of 12 women from Somalia. These women were sexually abused in their home country before they fled. Unfortunately, when I arrived, there were only four women remaining. Moreover, the women who had left were the ones who had been initially identified as my translators. There were other refugees in the camp that were able to translate, however, it was apparent that it was not their priority, nor was it something they enjoyed doing. Therefore, we relied on nonverbal communication to express our thoughts and ideas. The women from Somalia were comfortable with and often initiated physical contact. They were constantly rubbing my back or holding my hand. Eating and drinking together was seen as a bonding activity in their culture. Therefore, every time we met, they would make me tea and bring me a snack. They would also walk into town and buy me tokens to show their affection, such as a small granola bar or a smoothie. In order to help me understand their personalities, they wanted to teach me about their customs and traditions. We prepared a traditional meal, listened and danced to Somali music, applied decorative Henna tattoos to our arms and hands, and braided my hair. They would often invite me to their rooms at night to huddle around their T.V. and watch Indian music videos, which was one of their favorite pastimes. By the end of my trip, I had established a deep connection with the women. They felt that we could understand each other without talking. Their psychiatrists also observed a dramatic increase in the mood and attitudes of the women. Being able to directly observe the changes in the women reinforced my career choice in that I want to be involved in the rehabilitation process. I was able to bring back knowledge, such as nonverbal communication skills and the importance for patients to have a purposeful and meaningful life, and apply it practically to my studies in the United States. William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation Michelle Ann Pillar Moorefield, VW Michelle Ann Pillar, a member of Branch 89 Homestead, Pa., graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University in 1999 with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and again in 2000 with a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education. After substitute teaching in Wheeling, W.Va., she was hired in Hardy County, W.Va., as a fifth grade teach and is now in her eighth year of teaching. She has been the fifth grade team leader for the past three years. She would like to thank the William Penn Association and its Scholarship Foundation for the grant awards she received while a student. She says the money helped her achieve her goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. Members wlw are past recipients of scholarship grants through tire William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation are invited to share their posteducational and professional experiences with us. Please send your 'Recipient Profile' along with a recent photo to: John E. Lovász William Penn Association 709 Brighton Road Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Next Deadline December 1 5 William Penn Life, December 2008 11
