About

Course Objectives

This course is designed to provide an overview of the field of health
psychology. Emphasis will be placed on a cross cultural view of health and wellness as well as the effect of the HIV pandemic in Nepal. Social, psychological and educational aspects of health will be examined from an East Asian perspective including the health care system, alternative/complimentary medicine, health education and an understanding of how the HIV pandemic in India impacts Nepal.
• Introduction to Nepal (including history, demographics)
• Comparison of Western Medicine to Nepalese medicine
• Evaluation of health and preventative medicine in Nepal
• Examination of the link between spirituality and health
• Introduction to Ayurveda
• Introduction to HIV pandemic and the effects of the pandemic
from neighboring countries
• Assessment of psychological health with a visit to the first psychiatric
hospital in Nepal

Nepal location

Located between India and China, Nepal
is approximately the size of Arkansas
(56,827 square miles). However it is
a diverse country in language (over 70),
landscape and home to approximately
30 million people. Nepal also has
one-third of the Himalayas within its boundaries, including eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains. The republic of Nepal’s health care system is predominately government funded but suffers from a lack of technology, hospitals and trained health care professionals. This is particularly true for areas outside of major cities.
There are three main types of health care: folk medicine facilitated by a jhankri (shaman), Ayurveda and Western Medicine. Key health concerns in Nepal are maternal healthcare, immunizations, prevention of malaria, encephalitis, and HIV/AIDS.

Tentative 2011 Itinerary
May 20          Pre-course orientation 7-8 p.m.
May 23-27    Orientation/ Lecture (in class) 6-8 p.m.
May 30          Depart JFK
June 1           Arrive Kathmandu; Transfer to Summit Hotel
June 2           Program Review (LA College) 9-12
June 3           Visit Maiti Nepal (Women Shelter/Sex Trafficking)
Visit              Chattrapati Free Clinic (Community Run)
June 4          Depart for Dhulikhel (High View Resort) Visit Rural High School
June 5          Psychiatric Hospital Host: Dr. Shrestha, Psychiatrist
Cultural Heritage Sightseeing in Kathmandu/Bhaktapur
June 6          Depart for Pokhara (Hotel Barahi)
June 7         Visit Bandipur Hospital Sightseeing in Pokhara
June 8         Return to Kathmandu
June 9        Visit Ayurvedic Clinic
June 10      Depart for JFK
June 15      In class debriefing 6-8 p.m.

Estimated Costs
Non-refundable deposit/administrative fee
due March 1, 2011 $240.00
Air fare (round trip JFK-Kathmandu) $1,650.00
Ground transportation to JFK (per person) $90.00
Visa fee $40.00
Room and board, meals (breakfast and dinner),
Transportation, Sightseeing (museums) $900.00
TOTAL $2,920.00
All costs are based on estimates as of November 2010. Some costs (air fare,
ground transportation) may be adjusted (+/-) depending on factors such
as number of students signed up for the course and group discounts for air.
NOTE: Scholarships up to $1,000.00 are available to support travel
costs, tuition, and other fees. Awards will be based on financial need,
merit, and number of applications received. Application information is
available on the Continuing Education website at http://continuingeducation.
easternct.edu/StudyTours-documents.html. Applications for
scholarships are due by February 1, 2011.
Travel Inoculations
For malaria pills, meningitis and oral typhoid consult your Eastern
student health services clinicians.