University of New England: Emma Bouthillette

All seniors at the University of New England are required to take a one credit citizenship course. While the theory behind teaching the course is excellent, I think that it may better serve students in the first or second year at UNE, but that is neither here nor there...because I'm taking it now.

For a good chunk of my volunteer hours, I've been heading over to Bush Brook Stables to help Mona clean the barn and groom the horses, but this past Tuesday, there was a volunteer opportunity on the Westbrook Campus that I just couldn't pass up.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation supports ongoing research and awareness for breast cancer.

They have a pink tour bus that travels around the country to inform people how to do breast self exams, what signs to be aware of, how to be involved with breast cancer awareness and provides support for those already diagnosed. The Komen on the Go Tour finally made it to Maine, and UNE's Westbrook Campus was the host.

My job in volunteering was to walk around campus, handing out stickers and telling people to go check it out...because it was REALLY COOL!

The Bus

The Info Table

ME...writing on the graffiti wall!

People listening to the computer program that teaches breast self exams.

Even the flowers were pink!

And then...another act of citizenship on my part.
Before...

After...

I donated TWELVE INCHES of hair to Locks of Love!!!

I love my new hair style (which even though my hairdresser straightened it...I've mostly left it curly) and I hope someone loves my beautiful curls!!!

Despite all we've learned in the citizenship course, I feel like being a well rounded citizen can't really be taught. It is something you develop on your own time and happens in all forms of giving back to the community you identify with. I feel like donating my hair and the Komen on the Go Tour were great experiences, even though they were quick contributions, and I'm really glad I did both!

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, for the first time, UNE Psychology department is offering an Intro to Art Therapy course. As an English major, I begged to be admitted, as they were restricting registration to senior and junior Psych majors. Nancy Rankin, the professor of the course and Maryann Corsello, head of the department, kindly allowed me to take the course. I'm SO glad they did.

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses art materials, as a means of communicating emotions or as a mode of relaxation. Art therapy combines traditional psychotherapeutic theories and techniques with an understanding of the psychological aspects of the creative process, especially the affective properties of the different art materials. It can be seen as making art as therapy or psychotherapy with the use of art. It has been tested to be more affective than traditional talk therapy alone.

The course is designed so that we learn about the aspects of art therapy and the profession, as well as activities therapist can use with their clients. We have done scribble drawings, played with play dough, traced our bodies, made fabric tapestries, and now we are spending the next two weeks on mask making. Friday we began the process by plastering our faces!!!

Scary-looking huh?

It is hands down one of the coolest classes I've taken at UNE, and I hoping the continue the course and expand upon the idea of teaching art therapy as its own major (or graduate level!!!).

Pictures of the final product to come...stay tuned.

Posted by Emma Bouthillette at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)