evaluation time!

It’s been exactly a month from the day our memorable experience began. Upon reflection, my learning expectations have definitely been met. I wanted to meet new people, learn about other countries and their experience with regards to education and health practices. I wanted to enjoy the snow and the Finnish lifestyle. All these were achieved and this program managed to give me a taste of what I missed when I did not apply to go on a 3 month Erasmus last semester. Moreover, I learnt how to manage and prepare things, and how to work in a group, and how to care for myself when I was alone. I also feel that these 2 weeks have made me mature through the different experiences I encountered.

Apart from my personal development, the MINE program gave me the opportunity to learn and expand my knowledge professionally. I learnt more about the varieties in the way nurses work across Europe, becoming more aware of the lack of nursing autonomy in our country. Nevertheless, the mentoring system seems to be quite on a good track. I believe that this program is suitable for all students who plan on going on a study exchange since one can be somewhat prepared or at least get a glimpse at what to expect from other universities and health systems. Furthermore, information accessed from the internet may not always portray the complete picture of the required data, whereas, when students talk amongst each other about the systems, they tend to be more honest since it would be based on personal experiences. Having a person with whom you can communicate before leaving and meeting on arrival may ease the worries, making the person feel welcomed at the hosting university.

Face book, blogging and the webs were an excellent idea to help prepare and get to know each other before meeting; therefore, working in groups was easier, since we were not complete strangers to each other! With regards group work; I'd have to say that, while I loved working with my group, I found it quite challenging to put the whole thing together for the conference. We updated the wiki, which was a quite interesting subject for me at first, but reading your own country's information was quite a tiring and boring task. Moreover, although we did talk about differences and similarities between us, we did not go into cultural aspects the way the others did. I personally found it quite difficult to relate our group work with the others'. This may have been easier if the Wiki were updated in the country groups having each person in charge of a section, rather than one person becoming more knowledgeable on Wiki updates, and others not knowing what there actually was written in them. 

The use of patchwork was great for me, since it was guidance throughout the program, having one patch leading smoothly to the other. This might have been easier if it were presented beforehand rather than on arrival, so that everyone would understand what would be required of them during the MINE project; for example, everyone would participate in the making of the digital video, since you have to make a digital story during the program. I also suggest that mentors would be allocated in each respective group to act as coordinators and to ensure that the work is equally divided amongst us - not that I want to be treated as a child, don't get me wrong! I guess after a week of getting to know each and having fun, no one imagined it would get so intense the following week!

What else can I say??? It has been a wonderful experience, which has made me develop personally and professionally. It was very difficult for me to get back to writing this blog, I must admit, since at the moment the dissertation deadline is getting very close and the day seems to be so short with so many things to do including final placement and university. No wonder I miss those days in Finland! A very big thank you to all of you for making this unique experience memorable! 

Finally!

After four very hectic days and an amazing day playing in the snow, I have finally found some time to blog.

What can I say; I came to Pori with a mindset n the MINE project and ended up having to take care of my really good friend. But anyway, at least this phase has passed for the moment; although I still remember every single detail of the sleepless nights every time I see an empty bed beside me.

Visiting the Hospital

When I first entered the emergency department with my friend in Pori, I came to realise what foreign patients and relatives feel when they are not in one's country. Having a language barrier was defiantly the cherry on top of the cake for that night, besides of course having to understand the concept that only one doctor works at the A & E, thus having to wait quite some time for him to review my friend.

The next 'thing' that made me reflect was that most nurses wore sandals for work. i found this quite a strange concept and even when we asked why, the nurse knew it did not make sense as it was not proper safe practice for oneself, however, never thought about wearing a proper protective shoes.

With regards to the ICU - in Malta, although the ideal situation is that one nurse cares for just one patient, this is rarely seen. In the Satakunta hospital, if I understood correctly, two nurses allocate in a cubicle care for three patients. Although at the moment i cannot quite understand how this is actually properly achieved, and if a similar scenario can be implemented in Malta, I think it may be a much better situation. At times, nurses end up not having their breaks and rest, consequently resulting in work burn out.

Cultural Visit Day

It was definitely the most amazing thing I have had until now! The feeling of running in the snow, rolling in it, sledging and playing with the snow were exceptional. However, it was utterly a shame that I did not get the courage to go to the sauna, since I was terrified of the ice water dip. But, after hearing everyone saying how much they loved it - which of course was certified by one's expression - made e reflect that I should never miss such opportunities. Nevertheless, I can't wait for next Tuesday to go in the sauna and jump in the cold pool!

Country presentation

This was really exciting to have a glimpse at the way other universities teach and ensure clinical placements are carried out through mentoring. However, upon reflection, I noticed that the main key points I remember are the ones that were conveyed through word of mouth from other fellow students. Sometimes, at least this might have been the case with our system of education; the educators see the perfect and expected form of teaching, whereas students can relate to the real life situation and explain in dept what actually happens on wards and at school.

The digital country video

I have to admit that when I was in Malta working on the video with my friends I honestly thought it would be great. However, upon reflection and noting other students' work, I came to realise there were loads of things that we could have arranged. For instance, we spent all our filming talking and explaining tourist attractions, and forgot all about university and the hospital. Therefore, for the upcoming digital story, I think that proper planning of what need to be included is a must together with a good understanding of the message that needs to be conveyed.

Working in a group

I have been allocated to an amazing group to work on the digital story and the student led conference. This morning we have decided on the skeleton of the digital story and what needs to be included and arranged in the Wiki page. I personally really wish to make it more attractive rather that a whole chunk of words written one paragraph after the other, as this may be boring. Nevertheless, we will be focusing of the selection, application and preparation for a student to opt for an Erasmus to any of the six present universities. Hopefully, I’ll manage to read my own country's wiki page, since I only took note of the Finnish page.

few hours left!

So, the time for us to all meet is really getting near! the Maltese students will leave tomorrow at 12.45pm from the Malta international airport to Frankfurt. to be very honest, i have never seen my luggage so full; i think i will faint when i look at the weight on check-in!

we will spend Sunday morning in Helsinki before we take the train to Pori. can't wait to see the snow, even though I'm terrified of the very cold weather. Anyway, best wishes to all and bon voyage to the travellers. take care!

Welcome

Just to say hello from my new blog. So, the time for us to come together in Finland is really getting close! I'm really eager to get to know you all. Every time someone writes a comment on facebook, I look for the introductory post to see from where you're from!

The filming about our country is not yet finished, since test week is very near and everyone is busy studying. Good luck for your exams too. The background photo is our sunset from Gozo, which is another island next to Malta. Anyway, I guess I better go back to work on my dissertation of which I hope to finish another section tonight!

See you all in 25 days