The highlight of my UMD Short Term Study Abroad experience in Peru includes:

• being bitten by a snake in the Amazon jungle (it was literally in my shoes!),
• eating delicious food in Barranco (art district),
• ending up at an erotica museum in Lima,
• visiting the Sacred Valley of Cusco,
• tasting Alpaca meat,
• and getting altitude sickness at Machu Picchu.

(1) Machu Picchu, (2) Museo Larco, (3) La 73 Restaurant, (4) Sacred Valley of Cusco

Of course, it’s not all fun and games. The most important aspect of our trip is to learn about Human Rights and Public Policy. We met many leaders of different organizations to learn about their perspective on various issues such as human trafficking, indigenous rights, illegal gold mining, the informal economy, negative effects of climate change, and many more.

The most powerful piece of information I learned was about the Sex Trafficking that’s happening in gold mining towns.

When we were driving through a gold mining supply town, we passed by a “prostibar” (a Peruvian term for brothel). The prostibares are prevalent in gold mining towns because the miners seek entertainment through drinking alcohol and having sex.

The majority of women working in this industry are trafficked. They are often taken to the mining region under the false pretense of a better life and a good job. By the time the women learn about this, they have already supposedly owe the pimps so much money that they need to work it off. Women usually remain at prostibares also for the financial security or oppression of their families, attachment to their pimps, and the negative repercussions they may have from society for returning from a job at the prostibar.

My group was able to meet with representatives from Asociación Huarayo, who further explained to us of what this means for the Peruvian government and the gold mining economy. Asociación Huarayo provides shelter for children and adults who were forced to work for criminal organizations but have escaped. Last year, they recovered 59 women from prostibares, who are currently receiving psychological and legal help and reuniting with families.

As outsiders, there is nothing much we can do about this. We need to let the experts handle the sensitive nature of the issue itself and the country’s politics too.

However, as an active citizen of UMD, the United States, and even the world, I am sharing this information with everyone and anyone in hopes to spread awareness and shine some light on this topic.

Last Monday, I had the rare opportunity of having dinner with Dr. Edelstein, Executive director of the Universities at Shady Grove, and conversing with him about graduate student life at USG. From this discussion with Dr. E., I learned firsthand of some very exciting plans currently in the works for Building IV that will benefit many graduate students in the near future. He assured me that some of these plans are no secret… so I’m happy to share them with you all here!

Perhaps the most novel, and unexpected, thing that Building IV will bring for USG is an inter-professional clinic that provides care for real patients from the community. This clinic will consist of students and faculty from various disciplines. There has been quite a bit of research on the benefits of inter-professional education (IPE), with results that include improved student attitudes and knowledge about other professions as well as improved patient health outcomes. IPE is something that is being increasingly incorporated into professional school curricula across the country. So to have our very own IPE clinic at USG is absolutely incredible.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is actually at the forefront of this initiative. One example of how UMB has prioritized inter-professional education is by holding its annual IPE Day each spring. I was able to attend the fifth annual IPE Day this past Wednesday.. and it was a very positive experience. At the beginning of the program, students from the UMB Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Social Work, Nursing, and Physical Therapy were introduced to a young couple and their baby boy. In that auditorium, hearts broke when we learned about the baby’s numerous medical conditions. At such a young age, this baby is already on fourteen different medications and requires a ventilator to breathe.

We listened as the baby’s parents described the challenges they face in taking care of their child including the lack of reliable transportation to see over ten different medical specialists for each of his conditions. This family is one of many that have benefitted from President’s Clinic, UMB’s inter-professional clinic in Baltimore. While caring for their child is still extremely difficult, it’s been made at least a little easier with some help from the team at President’s clinic. Pharmacy students, for example, optimized the baby’s medication regimen so that he only has to take medicine twice a day instead of every few hours. And I believe it was nursing students who showed the parents that the baby’s formula can be prepared as a large batch in a blender, which is much easier than the method used previously.

Many of us went home from IPE Day feeling inspired to effectively communicate with, collaborate with, and learn more about students in other professions. Team based care is not a new concept – it’s been around for many years. But it’s time more schools make a conscious effort to prioritize it because clearly, IPE can make a real difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Here we are getting closer to the finish line!

For some of us this means graduation, jobs, masters program applications. For others we are just a few weeks away from finishing this semester. Either way we all have questions about what to do next.

I know I’m constantly grappling with what my next step should be. Sometimes is can get overwhelming, other times it gets a little depressing because I feel like I haven’t done enough.

I am one semester away from finalizing my degree and have started to really consider where I want to go next. First, I thought I would go into a masters program. However, I found out I need at least 2 years of working experience to even apply. Then I started searching for job opportunities but I don’t have my degree yet so it limited the scope of what I could apply for. So in my frustration I just started applying to anything and everything (I do not recommend this).

Honestly, it all started getting a little crazy and then I remembered the Career and Internship Service Center (CISC) here on campus. During orientation I remembered that they spoke and I thought I would take advantage of it some day but I still hadn’t (after 4 semesters). It was the best decision ever!

The CISC is filled with friendly and knowledgeable people who are waiting to help you. They can help with career planning, resume building/writing, interview prep, salary negotiations, and so much more. I wish I had started taking advantage of this resource from my very first semester.

A few weeks ago I set up my appointment. We went over my accomplishment, work history, and goals and they helped me created a stronger resume. It is thanks to the CISC that this summer I will be starting a pathways internship. Whether, you are looking for a job, an internship, or your confused about what to do next, sign up and make an appointment at CISC and it will make all the difference.

Visit the website for more information on how to set up an appointment and all the resources they offer.

https://shadygrove.umd.edu/student-services/career-and-internship-center
Don’t forget to comment and let me know how it goes!

Hello!
The next USG Undergraduate Open House is Saturday, April 22nd; 8:30am-12pm

This is for prospective students who are interested in attending USG! If you are already a student at USG, and would like to participate, ask your program director if you can be a representative for your program! If you know any other student who would be interested in attending, tell your friends to mark their calendar! This is a great way to meet people that are interested in the same program as well as share experiences to prospective students.
See you on April 22nd!