nfiszer – GW Blogs from Abroad

Everything my semester has led up to – public health research!

AdminMay 13, 2013December 14, 2018

This semester, I had the incredible opportunity to get to know various people and communities within Brazil through field study and community engagement. I was able to live in traditional rural communities and a major city, experiencing daily life and comparing the routines and relationships of Brazilian families, with my own life. I also gained access to health clinics and hospitals, getting a chance to study the health system close up through participant observation and interaction with providers. These amazing learning experiences culminated in the three - week period I have to conduct my own research about health here in Brazil. I chose to shadow and understand community perceptions of community health workers - a basic part of the Brazilian health care system that aims to provide preventative care services and human face to the health system for all citizens. The idea of a community health worker is something that has always interested me within public health, as it demonstrates the best of motivated community members taking action to promote health among their friends, families, and communities. By pinpointing which aspects are most necessary and impactful through the lens of community members, I hoped to provide insight into how a program like this can be strengthened, or established from the beginning. ...continue reading "Everything my semester has led up to – public health research!"

Observing and Interacting with Brazilian Health Care: Beginning my Research

AdminApril 8, 2013December 14, 2018

By nfiszer

Suddenly it is April, and I can't wrap my mind around the fact that I have already been in Brazil for two months. My experience so far has been a whirlwind, and I have come to love Brazil so much that it is difficult to imagine ever having to leave. Alongside some amazing cultural experiences and beautiful sights that I have come across since my last update, I have also had great exposure to the topic of my research here in Brazil, the Brazilian unified health system, SUS. Through initial background research and interviews, I have been able to outline my plans for my large-scale research project that is taking place in May. Most recently, I got to spend time in and get to know workers at local community health posts that serve all Brazilian citizens and serve as the basis of Brazilian health care. ...continue reading "Observing and Interacting with Brazilian Health Care: Beginning my Research"

First Impressions of Brazil

AdminMarch 4, 2013December 14, 2018

By nfiszer

As I write this, I have just completed my first week of classes and activities with my program here in Salvador, Brazil. It has been a week of new experiences and of getting used to a completely new lifestyle, from living with a host family, to dealing with life in the constant heat, to figuring out the public transportation system. The city is like nothing I have ever seen, and each day I am surprised by its size and its diversity. Among my first impressions, the rich culture and religious influence in the city are apparent walking through the streets observing daily life, and in everyday conversation. African traditions thrive alongside colonial Portuguese buildings and establishments. The streets are filled with music, vendors of food and every kind of merchandise, and of course terrible traffic. ...continue reading "First Impressions of Brazil"

Four Days and Counting

AdminFebruary 4, 2013December 14, 2018

By nfiszer

While I eagerly wait to embark on my Brazilian journey at the end of this week, I am slowly working on getting everything together in preparation for my departure. My backpack has been packed and repacked over several test runs, I have stocked up on sunscreen and bug repellent in bulk, and I've asked every question imaginable to the students I am lucky enough to know that have traveled on my program before. Apart from just the preparation of packing, I have been preparing for both my coursework and research in every way that I can. I am studying the Portuguese language by reviewing my textbook and class notes from last semester, as well as listening to all the Portuguese language-learning audio books I was able to find at the local public library. I have been practicing the language by emailing with a new friend from Sao Paulo, and getting her advice and corrections on my grammar and writing. I have also been researching my future city of residence, Salvador, to get a better introduction to the people and culture that I will encounter when I arrive. ...continue reading "Four Days and Counting"

Bem-vindo à Bahia!

AdminJanuary 7, 2013December 14, 2018

By nfiszer

Olá! My name is Natalie Fiszer and I am in my junior year at the George Washington University. I am studying International Affairs, with dual concentrations in International Development and Global Public Health. I am passionate about pursing a career in international development because I find it incredible to look at the progress that has been made in the last 50 years in decreasing poverty and improving access to health care, both on the part of developing countries themselves, as well as assisting countries and organizations. I have had the opportunity to hear from amazing professors with firsthand experience who have made these transformations, and I have had the privilege of interning at the U.S. Peace Corps, and seeing how their grassroots development projects happen. Now it's my turn. For my semester abroad, I will be studying with a field-based SIT program, and I will have the opportunity to personally experience some of the stories I have heard, and to learn even more about the conditions around the world that will allow me to place everything I learn in class into a better context. ...continue reading "Bem-vindo à Bahia!"