March 1, 2002
Students Travel to Papua New Guinea
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students from the NYU School of Medicine returned this month from a six month trip to the pacific nation of
Papua New Guinea for study and research. Eric Strong and Shirley Park lived in the Highland
town of Goroka, where they worked on the wards of Goroka Base Hospital. Also, under the
guidance of Dr. Allen Keller of NYU's Survivors of Torture Program, they conducted primary
research into the prevelence of domestic violence and its associated risk factors.
Domestic violence has always been a serious problem in New Guinea. Although, officially against New
Guinea law, the practice is so widespread and accepted, that the government has distributed pamphlets
entitled "Wife-beating is illegal". The origins of the problem are largely due to family dynamics and
the social status of women in a country where trading girls is still seen as an acceptable means of
settling tribal disputes.
On arriving home, the two students seemed to be weary, but happy. "It was a great experience to observe
how medicine is practiced in another part of the world and to be able to offer a little bit of help," Shirley
remarked. "But, it's nice to be back home," Eric added.
To see a detailed description of their trip along with photographs, please follow this link.
