42 International ZAM-azing Experience Summer 2024 HIZ students sharpen their skills for upcoming careers. In summer 2024, seven students traveled with Harding in Zambia (HIZ) to visit a few of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, go on safari game drives, try white water rafting and feed and pet wild animals. Six of the seven students that participated in the trip were STEM majors, with studies varying from nursing to exercise science. A portion of their trip included working alongside Zambian nursing students. “[The Zambian nursing students] were taught how to find alternative treatments and think outside the box when there is a shortage of supplies or resources,” Junior Evalie Janes said. “I got to watch so many amazing life-changing surgeries and witness the miracle of childbirth and the saving of lives. It was so incredible getting to be involved in the work of the Lord in the hospitals which is unlike the other study abroad trips.” There were five nursing students on the trip who were able to experience an entirely different world of medicine and patient care. The students spent time at The Haven, a home for infants and young children, which served as a major deciding factor in students choosing the HIZ program. “As a nursing major, my eyes were really opened to the healthcare system by getting to see the way a Zambian hospital works. As a Christian, my heart was touched so deeply by The Haven,” senior Ailee McFarland said. “We got to spend time with the children that lived there and form such sweet bonds with them. The real treasure of The Haven, though, was the women who took care of those kids everyday.” Working in Zambia solidified students’ desire to serve in healthcare and helped them zone in on their focus for their future careers. “I had just finished freshman year when I went on this trip and was still questioning why I wanted to be a nursing major,” sophomore Rachel Stanglin said. “After spending time in the hospital there, I really found a passion for maternity care and women’s health.” HIZ was especially attractive to STEM majors because it took place in the summer, and the strict schedules of many STEM majors has been known to make studying abroad for an entire semester difficult or impossible. RAINBOW SMILES A staple place to visit in Zambia is Victoria falls. These falls are located in Livingston, Zambia. Photo courtesy of Rachel Stanglin “The culture looked so rich with love and Christ-centered relationships, and the volunteer opportunities seemed to give an eye-opening and career-motivating perspective,” sophomore Eva Rogers said. “The fact that it was offered in the summer was simply a bonus for me because it wouldn’t put me behind with classes.” Rogers aspired to work as a physical therapist, and her experiences at HIZ encouraged her in this pursuit. “Shadowing in the clinic reiterated why I want to become a doctor,” Rogers said. “The doctors there treated their patients with respect and love. They worked around problems that we do not think twice about and yet, they love their job. It inspired me as a future physician.” Harding in Zambia inspired students through interactions with Christ-like followers in an unfamiliar place. Written by Randi Tubbs
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