I recently returned from a volunteer experience at CMC&H in Vellore, India and would like to encourage other individuals to consider volunteering. During my stay at CMC&H, I primarily worked with the College of Nursing, giving lectures to faculty, staff and students and revising some of their tools for evaluation. I also had an opportunity to visit the CONCH Program, a community health program operated by the College of Nursing. Throughout this experience I feel as though I gained far more than I contributed.

The recognition that many of the issues that nurses face are common throughout the world creates a strong bond that crosses countries and cultures. The dedication of the faculty and nursing staff renewed my own enthusiasm for the profession. Finally, we in the USA have a lot to learn from our Indian counterparts in the area of community health education for nurses. 

I came back with many new ideas that we could use to improve our preparation of nurses in community health. The Directorate Office, especially Mrs. Jebamani Augustine, and the Dean of the College of Nursing, Dr. (Mrs. ) Punitha Ezhilarasu, were both instrumental in facilitating arrangements and schedules for my stay. I have had other international experiences but none have been so moving for me as my stay at CMC&H. It is truly a "special" place!