Ever since high school, Mary Croy has wanted to go to Vietnam. This summer, she finally made it.

Croy, a program assistant in the College of Nursing, worked with disabled children in Ha Noi, Vietnam, from June 21 to Aug. 25.

"It fulfilled my expectations in the sense it was such a rewarding experience, and working with the children was so enriching," Croy said.

Croy has been interested in Vietnamese culture since high school, when South Vietnamese friends sparked her interest.

Last fall Croy began researching programs in Vietnam. She eventually signed up with Travel to Teach, an organization based in Thailand.

"I was both excited and scared," Croy said. "It was an unknown."

Since Croy was taking an unpaid leave, her colleagues took up a collection to help her and raised $500, and the College of Nursing made contributions as well, according to Lisa Olson, business manager in the college.

"We were all very excited, and I guess I personally would feel a deep sense of pride that we have someone in our organization who can give so much to the needy," Olson said.

As Croy had never been to Vietnam, she quickly discovered some cultural differences.

"The traffic is completely crazy," Croy said. "You have to learn to just step into traffic and just let the motobikes go around you."

Another adjustment was having spicy beef soup for breakfast, but the family she stayed with made the effort to make her feel at home.

"I can't say enough about the generosity of the Vietnamese people," Croy said. "They are poor, but they gave me so much."

In the mornings Croy worked at Lang Hoa Binh, a school for both physically and developmentally disabled children. The students ranged from age 4 to 25.

She taught English and basic math to about 20 students. Croy had never taught before, but she said it gave her a satisfying feeling.

"It was a tremendous experience teaching the children," Croy said. "They were very eager to learn."

In the afternoons she worked with younger children at Morning Star, a daycare center.

Croy did have some difficulties on her trip.

"The language barrier was pretty difficult," Croy said. "I had to do a lot of pantomime with my family and with the students to communicate."

In addition, Croy developed a callous on her index finger, and she was sick for a day and a half with an intestinal parasite. But she got treatment for both ailments.

Croy found it hard to leave. On the last day, she told the students, "Tôi yêu viêt nam," meaning "I love Vietnam." They all said back to her, " Tôi yêu Cô Mary," or "I love Teacher Mary."

Croy said the experience was important both for the children and for her.

"In their lives I think it will help them build confidence that they can learn," Croy said. "As for me, it had a life-changing impact on me. I learned I could cope with a lot of difficult situations."

Olson said that this trip was a way for Croy to give back.

"I think that just making the trip — I think it was almost the realization of a dream," Olson said.

Ruth Belknap, an assistant professor in the College of Nursing, said Croy's journey is consistent with the dedication of employees in the college.

"I thought it was terrific," Belknap said. "Even though it sounded like something so outside the ordinary to do, I wasn't surprised that an employee of Marquette would do it."

Croy is looking into returning with some students.

"There are many Marquette students in their various majors that would be able to help the children I know," Croy said.

Olson said the College of Nursing staff were excited to be a part of this.

"This is the mission of Marquette," Olson said. "There's no closer you can get to service than what Mary did."

This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on September 15, 2005.