Panama Day 3 & 4

The group is having an awesome time so far! Even though we haven't even began our clinicals, we have already had some events that are changing the way we view things, and like Lindsay mentioned, have made us realize how much we really do have to be grateful for back home.

So for now, I'm just going to give a brief overview of our third and fourth days in Panama. Yesterday (Wednesday), we visited the University of Panama's nursing school (Universidad de Panama, Facultad de Enfermeria) and the Latin University of Panama's (Universidad Latina de Panama) nursing students. The schools were definitely different than our own College of Nursing in ways that one would expect, but what surprised me more was that there was so much of a difference between the two right in the same city here in Panama. The University of Panama is a public university, while the Latin University is private. The students at University of Panama pay less than $500 for the 4 years, while the Latin University students pay $14,000 for their 3.5 year track. We all know that money matters, so the differences in supplies and facilities differ at these two schools. None the less, they were both learning things similar to each other and to what we would learn at USF College of Nursing. We also met some great, welcoming people at both of these schools and have plans to go out on Saturday with the girls from the Latin University--should be fun!!

1. A picture of Shadae, Melissa, Tara, Caitlin, Tania, and Lindsay in next to the welcome sign that the University of Panama Nursing School made us!
2. A picture of the whole group along with the dean of the University of Panama Nursing School's Dean
3. Clinical manequins right in their lecture classroom

Today, we went to la Ciudad de Saber (the City of Knowledge) and had another amazing experience. This is one place that really is working to better the world. We were introduced to the Ciudad de Saber by one of the administrators who had AMAZING English skills. We had the chance to visit the UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) Office and meet with a representative from UNAIDS (the committee of UNICEF that focuses on AIDS). This conversation was insightful for sure. We heard devastating stats about the HIV prevalence in Panama, but fortunately there are organizations going to better the situation. We also saw the USF Health office, yes USF is in Panama! We met the wonderful ladies that have helped coordinate our trip. The day was a good one and I look forward to going to the US embassy tomorrow!!

--Caitlin Brock