Growing up, Nicole Keusch was always interested in community service, volunteering at Clarkston High School and Clarkston United Methodist Church.
As a University of Michigan sophomore, her focus has expanded.
‘It was those experiences that drove me to help people around the world,? said Keusch, 2005 graduate of Clarkston High and daughter of Debbie and Jim Keusch of Clarkston.
Last year, she spent four weeks in Vietnam with Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates.
‘It was amazing ? we saw almost the whole country,? she said. ‘We studied the culture, history, all aspects of the country.?
This spring break, she went to the Dominican Republic to look at their public health programs, including an education program for children about HIV.
This year, she joined Crossing Borders, a health-based, international humanitarian group founded by UM students in 2005.
‘I love it, it’s really great,? she said. ‘It’s a great way to help make a difference.?
About 40 students form the core group. They received training in language, culture, history, and other skills, all on their own time, she said.
‘We dedicate a lot of time ? I’m there about every day of the week,? she said.
Crossing Borders, a private, non-governmental organization, was founded in order to bridge the gap between university-level research and practice in the field, which can be 10-20 years behind, she said.
‘We focus our education at the university towards learning skills in the development field and then directly apply them in the summer,? she said.
‘We then have the opportunity to figure out what actually works and develop new models based on that.?
To develop new, sustainable solutions to poverty and other problems, they have to live with people and experience poverty first hand, she said.
‘I see what we have, and I see what they have ? a lot of people don’t care,? she said. ‘I care.?
This summer, Keusch plans to travel with the group to Haiti.
‘I will be studying how a poverty lending microcredit program relates to better health for women in a village in a northern village, Joli Trou,? she said.
The research will improve programs by International Child Care, Crossing Borders? partner NGO, and help them improve women’s income and health in other areas of Haiti.
Last summer, seven Crossing Borders students traveled to rural northern Vietnam, and lived in a commune for three months, she said.
While there, they developed a sustainable, soybean program to fight child malnutrition.
‘Our goal is a sustainable program,? she said.
This summer, the group is planning projects in Vietnam, Equador, Dominican Republic, and Haiti, she said.
For more information on Crossing Borders, check www.crossingbordersonline.org.