Global Health Clinical Session and Umm Batin, by Sam Nesemann

Last week we had our weekly clinical class (pictures attached).  It’s about three hours or so of observing/interviewing patients every Wednesday morning.  This time it was during a sandstorm, which, if you come here, I’m sure you’ll get to experience for yourself.  We started off meeting a Bedouin man who told us about some of the Bedouin’s cultural history.  Then we headed to the local school to talk with the principle about education in the community and the superintendent happened to be there and joined us as well.  Later we were able to sit with a woman who used to work at a local clinic before her funding was cut.  She explained the difficulties imposed on her in regard to providing care now.  We asked things like, “can you go to the people’s houses or have them come to yours to at least educate them?”- something that would seem perfectly acceptable back home.  Unfortunately, in her community, this would be considered very inappropriate and isn’t an option for her.  These clinical sessions are all so different and all really valuable.

On a second note, there are also some pictures from our trip with the kids from Umm Batin.  Umm Batin is a small town about 20 minutes from Beer Sheva.  A few of us go there each week to teach english to the Bedouin children who are fantastic.  They are funny, smart, and we have a lot of fun teaching and playing soccer.  We took a trip up to Superland (a small theme park) this past week that they were all really excited for.  

Unfortunately because of rain the previous day, the park was closed once we got there.  Instead of being disappointed, they were totally unaffected. It was really impressive to me, thinking to myself that the teenage me would have probably complained quite a bit about the situation.  We’ll be heading there again one of these weekends though and I’m sure it’ll be a good time.  - Sam Nesemann, blogger of the month

Second Semester musings, by Sam Nesemann, blogger of the month

Sam, Justine and Chase at the Physician's Oath ceremony

These first few weeks of the second semester have moved incredibly fast.  The classes keep us (or at least me) much busier.  This place is amazing though.  It’s already getting warmer.  The winter itself only lasted about 2 months and was extremely mild (nothing like what we would have back home in Wisconsin.)  

Because of the previous cold weather and the higher amount of classwork (just finished a global health module on nutrition that I highly recommend to any future students), there’s not too many extracurricular things to comment on right how.  However, this coming week a good amount of first-years are heading to Budapest, the second years are putting on a second annual talent show, and there will hopefully be some hiking or camping in the South.  

We did get to go to Umm Batin again today.  Umm Batin is a town about 20 minutes outside of Beer Sheva that has a mostly, if not completely, Bedouin population.  We go there once a week to teach English and it is an absolute blast.  The kids are great, some are very very smart, and, for the most part, very well behaved.  We teach for about an hour and a half and then play soccer, basketball, or whatever is happening that day.  The kids love it and it’s a really good opportunity for them, especially those who wish to go to college in Israel or the States.  

This is my first blog, so I’m still figuring out what to write about/how to write it.  I think this is mainly for the benefit of prospective students. So, I’d like to say a few things to you if you are reading this as someone looking into MSIH.  A lot of people asked me why I wanted to come here before I left, and they asked in a tone of concerned incredulity.  The question was often followed by something like, “you know there’s a medical school 2 hours away right?”or something about how dangerous this area of the world is.  There have been several occasions after arriving here that I have been taken aback by the sensation that there is no other place in the world I would rather be.  I’m sure it’s not for everyone, but I can’t think of any other school I would rather be at MSIH

- Sam Nesemann, blogger of the month