Thursday, October 22, 2009

HELP ME!!

So I have the opportunity in the nursing program to go this spring and do nursing abroad for 4-5 weeks. It seems very exciting, and yes, it is. But it's also one of the most stressful decisions I've ever made! I'm pulling my hair out! You can ask my mother I keep going back and forward on what to decide. Problem is, I have to submit my international application by Wednesday at the latest and it has my top 2 choices on it. After learning about the international sites, which includes Vancouver British Columbia, Ecuador, Jordan and Jerusalem, I have selected my top two choices to be Ghana and Taiwan. But don't ask me which is first and which is second choice BECAUSE I CAN'T DECIDE! So I need input. Lots and lots of input.

Some things to know: I do have to interview, but I only get interviewed for my top choice. If you don't get your first choice, they try and put you in the second choice, but if you don't get that one, you don't get to go international, and instead you go to DC for a week, Colorado for 3 days, the "inner city" of Murray UT or the state prison. So yeah, I'd like to go international ha. Also, I know I'll have a great experience no matter where I go, but what's going to be best?! Anyway. Below is my pro/con list. See?! It's gotten so hard to decide I had to type out my pro con list!

GHANA

TAIWAN

PROS

· More service oriented

· Get to make a noticeable difference

· Not for the faint hearted, and I am definitely not weak.

· Two faculty members going are my past two clinical instructors

· 3rd world country

· 13-16 spots available

· I have a bunch of very good friends who want to go, and will probably end up going

· Cheaper

· Get to travel entire country over weekends

· In country 5 weeks

· ER rotation

· 1st world country

· Opportunity to scuba dive, learn how to surf, see country….

CONS

· More expensive

· In country only 4 weeks

· Don’t do much travelling, go from hospital/village to housing at night

· Don’t go out at night

· Risk of illness or death (technically)

· Requires lots of immunizations and taking anti-malaria medication.

· Seems to focus more on my own personal experience (travel, scuba etc)

· More people are going to want to apply here (mainly because of price and international location)

· Only 8 spots available

· I don’t quite feel as attached to going to Taiwan. It just seems more logical


7 comments:

Shelby Ane said...

Your last con said it all "I don't feel as attached" go with Ghana. It'll be a better experience for ya! Yeah, you might not get to see the country and it's more expensive, but it'll give you so much better experience and help you out in the long run! Hope this helps! :D

Erin said...

One of my old roommates spent time in Ghana doing service. Her name is Rachel Freestone-- you should look her up on facebook and ask her some questions about her experience there. I know she absolutely loved it.

The Walsers said...

Ok, so what was said above is good advice. I'd look at this experience as one where I can do more good and learn the most. You have such an awesome opportunity with this! Being able to help others because you're a nurse...lucky. I LOVE humanitarian work. I think any of the choices would be great! I'd personally choose one of the poorer countries because I think those places are always more eye-opening and will help you to learn in all aspects of life. But whichever you choose you'll have SO much fun! (Btw, you should've included Ecuador in your choices to use that spanish you know ;))

April said...

Ghauna! In the Bronx we knew alot of people from there and they are amazing people (not that people from Taiwan aren't) either way it will be an amazing experience for you :)

Megan said...

I agree with everyone else. You should go with the one that has your heart more. Taiwan would be a beautiful place, but Ghana would make you happier because that's where you really want to go.

Nick & Dana said...

Ghana! I don't know why.. but I just would chose that for some reason :) And... if you don't get international, that's ok Colorado is awesome! Nick is from there! He would die to go there any day.. hahah

Jessica Lynn said...

I just found this blog and I have to say...you should have chosen Jerusalem, hands down. But I had a friend go to ghana and while she does like jeru better, she loved Ghana.
sorry I'm a stalker!