|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.02.05 Erskine sophomore plans volunteer visit to Guatemala Erskine College sophomore Heath Whaley, son of Stephen and Olga Whaley of Greer, was honored Oct. 22 at a gala event sponsored by Asociación Hispano Americana de Mujeres (AHAM), an organization that awarded him a college scholarship for his freshman year at Erskine. Interviewed during the AHAM gala by Yolanda Barahona of La Opinión Hispana, a Spanish-language newspaper, Whaley expressed his gratitude to AHAM, spoke of his desire to study medicine and learn more Spanish, and revealed his plans to travel to Guatemala during Winter Term 2006. Whaley's independent study, set for January, brings together three elements that are important to him: his family heritage, his studies at Erskine, and his focus on preparing for medical school. Associate Professor of Modern Languages Dr. Carlos Mentley said Whaley approached him about the possibility of an independent study. "In this case, his interests coincided perfectly with what we in the department want students to do," he said. Whaley will be doing observation and volunteer work at a rural clinic in Guatemala. His independent study requirements include keeping a journal, writing a final evaluative summary, and giving a talk on campus about his experiences when he returns. Whaley's mother is a native of Guatemala, so he feels a special connection with that country. "I have quite a few relatives that live in Guatemala, and I will be staying with a great aunt and uncle," he said. "When Heath learned that he could do an independent study in Guatemala, his interest was there immediately," Mentley said. Whaley said Mentley gave him "tremendous inspiration" in planning the trip, and he is enthusiastic about the prospect of a month in Central America. "I will be able to visit a local hospital each day, and have first-hand experience of what the medical world is like in a Latin American country," Whaley said. Whaley is majoring in biology and would like to study pediatric medicine. "My dad always believed that I had the mind to become a doctor, and as I finished my senior year in high school I started to see what he was talking about," he said. "I also love working with younger children, and one day it hit me, I could become a pediatrician. The more I thought about this idea, the more I wanted to pursue it." Mentley believes Whaley will make considerable progress in Spanish during his month in Guatemala. "He's learned his Spanish in the States," he said. "Anytime you do that your Spanish is anglicized or Americanized." Living and doing volunteer work in Guatemala will expose Whaley to Spanish as it is actually spoken in Latin America. "He'll be improving his spoken Spanish," Mentley said. "By speaking it all the time you end up improving your fluency whether you realize it or not." Improving his Spanish will fit in well with Whaley's post-Erskine plans. "My goal is to graduate from medical school with a degree in medicine, and travel to Latin American countries to provide medical assistance to families in need," he explained. Growing up with two younger brothers, Derek, now 17, and Andrew, 11, Whaley has gained some experience with children. His youngest brother has a learning disability, and attends a school in Taylors that is well suited to his needs. "I do believe God has given me the gift of patience, especially with younger children," he said. Whaley is spending more time with children as a volunteer with Erskine's Biology Outreach Program in area elementary schools. He is also a member of Tri Beta, the biology honor society, and is an avid participant in intramural sports. |
Search | Netnews Home | College Home | Seminary Home | Academics | Alumni | Athletics | Mission | The Gold Campaign | The Drummond Center | |
Trouble viewing this e-mail? Go to: |
