Tag Archives: Week 7

Lucky Number Seven

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This week I had the opportunity to continue working on the same floor as last week, where I learned about chemotherapy, laboratory procedures, nutrition, drug administration, therapy, cardiology, and implantation of catheters. I was given the chance to see an implantation of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), which is a very flexible and thin tube, which is an intravenous line (IV) that is inserted to administer medications to preserve the veins of patients. I was also able to evaluate the roll that the nurses have on the floor, which was very nice, because I got to observe the different responsibilities that they have compared to the other areas I have been in. I feel like being exposed to all the different areas that nurses work in, I am able to learn and see what I am more attracted to. Which is helpful, because I will know what area I would like to work in once I become a nurse. I have to admit that I have a different perspective about cancer and chemotherapy, I always thought negatively about it until now.

These are some of the lovely people I have had the chance to work with these last two weeks.

These are some of the lovely people I have had the chance to work with these last two weeks.

After work on Wednesday, I was invited by some friends to join them for a small, traditional festival that occurs every full moon, which is called, “La Luna Llena.” It is a gathering where people come with their drums to play, where people come to drink some mate, meet with friends, meet new people, and gather around a fire to listen and dance to the sound of drums. It was really fun. Friday, I was able to join one of my co-workers for dinner at her house where I was introduced to the classical dessert of Argentina, batata con queso, which is a sweet potato candy accompanied with cheese. I got to say as weird as it sounded to me I really enjoyed it. On Saturday I was able to join my coordinator from BAC to a birthday dinner where I was fortunate to have met a new friend that is closer to my age and has the same interests as I do, we both cannot wait to hang out again. Then Sunday, I was invited to another birthday, where I accompanied one of my supervisors’ birthday with her family. It was amazing, I was able to join in some lovely conversations and I was able to try some delicious homemade food, dessert, and of course cake! It was nice being able to see and compare the different traditions of birthdays celebrated here compared to the United States’. I love getting to be part of a different culture!

This is the picture I took of the classical desert of Argentina I tried, dulce de batata con queso (sweet potato candy with cheese).

This is the picture I took of the classical desert of Argentina I tried, dulce de batata con queso (sweet potato candy with cheese).

These are some pictures from the "Luna llena festival," where my friends and I gathered around the fire to listen to the sound of the drums and watch some performances while we had some mate.

These are some pictures from the “Luna llena festival,” where my friends and I gathered around the fire to listen to the sound of the drums and watch some performances while we had some mate.

birthday

These are some pictures from Saturday where I joined my coordinator from BAC to her friend’s birthday, which was held in a club called Tazz.

argentina birthday 2

This is a picture of my supervisor’s birthday on Sunday with her family. It was such an experience.

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Week 7- Midterms

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After our last week of great excursions it was time to get back to study mode and focus because midterms were up next. Unlike back home we didn’t get a study guide to know what was going to be on the test but we did have review days which were really helpful because our professors let us know what was going to be on our tests. I was a bit nervous for these tests because they were going to be in a whole different language and although I know the language it was still nerve racking because maybe I’d forget what to say and how to write it in spanish. But just like back at WOU our tests were split up into two days, half the classes Wednesday and the other half on Thursday.

Monday and Tuesday consisted of review and lots of studying. On mondays i also have my internship at Caritas. I really enjoy volunteering there, the people are all so nice and after a few weeks we’ve had a good group of 10 people that come on a daily basis and really want to learn. We have a diverse group of people in our class we have people that have never learned any english and then we have others that know a few things and are a little better at English but they’re all learning. Pronunciation is the key thing everyone needs help with.

Caritas, The organization where I volunteered at.

Caritas, The organization where I volunteered at.

Since we all had midterms coming up we all headed to a cafe to study all together. I’ve developed a slight addiction to Cafe con Leche (Coffee with milk) it’s really good. I’ve noticed the coffee here is a lot more strong and the amount you get is way smaller. A lot of people get what looks like a shot of coffee, i dont know how they can handle that, i bet it’s really strong. After talking to one of my proffs he mentioned a lot of people here like the strong stuff and even dark chocolate is preferd more than milk chocolate. Talking about chocolate, I miss hershey’s chocolate, they dont have that here but tehy do have Kinder and Milka which I believe is chocolate from germany. Chocolate from Spain is Valor.

Cafe con leche and a piece of bread

Cafe con leche and a piece of bread

I feel midterms went well and once they were over it was time for fall break! Italy for 10 days! I’m really excited! Rome-Milan-Florence and Venice. It’s going to be quiet the trip with just my friend alison and I but i’m excited. First off is Rome we left Thursday night and arrived Friday morning. And so the Italy adventure began!