From Strangers to Family:
Herbal Mountain Medicine Tour 2005
The faculty of CCNH interacts with students on a daily basis; however, the contact is limited to letters, phone conversations and e–mails. This is why my experience with the Herbal Mountain Medicine Appalachian Tour was so special. I was able to meet (and learn with and from) some of our students. Aimee Lanier, ND, and I were the two faculty representatives on the tour, and since neither of us had been on a tour like this we had no idea what to expect. We pored over the list of attendees, recognizing names and asking other faculty members about this or that person when we came across a name we did not know.
We wanted to make sure every person felt welcome. The odd thing is that the complete opposite happened; it was the students who made us feel welcomed! They each greeted us with open arms.
I cannot describe the feeling of finally, after many months, or in some cases years, putting a face with the voice on the other end of the phone. After the opening ceremony at the Chattanooga Aquarium, I knew that I was about to have a wonderful experience.
Each day was filled with activities, and everyone took advantage of every available moment to not only learn but to also make a connection with others and build bonds of friendship. Darryl Patton and Phyllis Light, whose breadth of knowledge would awe anyone, were really the ones who made the trip special. From the winding paths of Rock City to the Chickamauga Battlefield, and each stop in between, every student had a pen in hand and took as many notes as possible as Darryl and Phyllis discussed the area’s rich tradition of herbal medicine and its history. The optional evening classes always ran late because students had “just one more question” to ask, and Darryl and Phyllis stayed until the last one was answered.
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| Herbal Mountain Medicine Appalachian Tour September 14–18,2006 |
| Join tour leaders Darryl Patton and Phyllis Light as they explore the healing traditions, folklore and culture of the Southern Appalachians. Experience first hand how these traditions and rich history have influenced the herbal and healing traditions of America. |
| For more information or reservations, please call 1–866–604–3387, e–mail or visit us online. |
On the morning of our departure, Aimee and I looked around at what once was a group of complete strangers from all across the country, and even other parts of the world, who had become a group of friends. They were all hugging goodbye, exchanging email addresses, and some were making plans to meet–up again at the 2006 Natural Health Conference. Ruben Sioxsen, a student from California made this comment, “Being around this wonderful group who carry a great amount of energy and meeting the beautiful staff of CCNH finally in person was a highlight. They were very hospitable, informative, and fulfilling. I’ve learned a great deal and extended my family here on this great earth.” These are words that, I believe, resonate with everyone on the tour.
I hope that some day all of our students can have a chance to interact with one another and the faculty. Distance education can be a solitary experience; that is why our educational travel tours, student and graduate groups, and the Natural Health Conference are so important. Not only do students learn and grow, but these events also give students and faculty a chance to interact on a more personal level. It makes us all realize that although distance education occasionally can be lonely, we are, in fact, not alone.
Misty White
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