Rachel Allen-McHugh
Rachel Allen-McHugh is an assistant professor of occupational therapy at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She offers all students the opportunity to travel, even if they cannot afford to leave the state of Iowa or the USA. She also takes students to India on a month-long learning experience and adventure, working closely with Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, where there is limited access to medical technology and resources for persons with disabilities. The students who join her on this trip come up with innovative rehabilitative resources to foster independence for clients and their families.
Why are you passionate about student travel?
I believe that any travel, be it local, within our own country, or to far off international destinations, allows us to grow as people first, connect with humanity, and ultimately become a better version of ourselves. Travel in my youth helped me to understand situations firsthand and allowed me to shift my perspective in a positive way. Travel supported me to become a more empathetic and understanding person. I take an ‘open book’ approach with my students. I share my implicit biases and areas of growth with my students. It is important for the student to understand the struggles and growth I embraced. This provides a safe space for them to explore their own beliefs and biases while providing mentorship in challenging the status quo. I encourage all types of student travel to assist students in pushing back on preconceived notions, highlight their hidden implicit biases, and foster growth in connection and understanding. Ultimately, my goal is to elevate students’ cultural humility and understanding of the world around them to become a more compassionate health care professional.
What is a major highlight from any of your student travel experiences?
Every travel experience provides new learning and exceptional opportunities for growth. I appreciate the Ah-Ha moment of the trip. Every trip there always seems to be a significant Ah-Ha moment for the students traveling that changes the energy of the group. Many times, it is the realization that the individuals with whom they are working with have the same life goals, dreams, and desires that they do despite being from such different places. Even though the lives and culture in the host country is so significantly different from their own, the humanity connection is made. It is from that moment that the students surrender themselves to the learning experience, truly embracing the people around them and building relationships that last beyond the travel experience.
What is the greatest lesson you or your students have learned from your trips?
The greatest lessons my students and I have learned was never to assume. Assumptions lead us to misunderstand a culture, its people, and the way of life. I continuously remind my students to place their assumptions on hold. To first enter the experience with an open heart and mind. I encourage them to listen first, connect with empathy, and give back with their whole heart.
How do you try to tie your travel experiences back into the classroom?
Cultural humility is my objective. Sharing my personal experiences and supporting students who have traveled with me through an international travel course help elevate all student understanding. My students will be future occupational therapy practitioners. As health care professionals, my students will need to support individuals from a vast number of cultures, beliefs systems, and backgrounds. Having students embrace and practice through a lens of cultural humility will ultimately allow better care and outcomes for the clients they serve.
From the Nominator:
What qualities make this nominee, both as an educator and travel leader, deserving of this award?
Dr. Allen-McHugh has a passion for educating students, no matter the level. This ranges from her community engagement with her OT students and refugees via Lutheran Social Services, to middle school students at the local boys and girls club. She utilizes innovative and “real life” teaching strategies at all times. This was evident through her recent India trip when she challenged her students to identify recyclable or low-cost materials to create a piece of adaptive equipment for a client in need. She impacts students in assisting them in seeing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. One student who recently returned from India trip said her life will “never be the same” due to the personal and professional growth she experienced during the month-long trip.
Dr. Allen-McHugh assists students in looking into opportunities to provide justice to those who have been marginalized and acts with compassion to all. Her students frequently remark that she is a tireless advocate for them as well as all individuals she encounters.
