As my time in Europe comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on the myriad of experiences, friendships, and lessons I’ve gathered over the past few months. This journey has been nothing short of transformative, and I am grateful for every moment spent here.
A Picture That Speaks Volumes
The picture attached above is one of my favorites. It captures a moment from the early weeks in Valencia when a group of us, strangers at first, came together to watch the sunset at the beach. This simple yet profound experience taught me the importance of cherishing the small things in life. Even if our time together was short, the friendships formed were genuine and impactful. Who would’ve thought that a student from Florida State would form such lasting bonds with peers from Colorado State?
This image is a testament to the connections made and the memories created during my time abroad. It symbolizes the beauty of human connection and the lasting impact of shared experiences.
Resonating Stories in the Media
Lately, the stories that resonate with me most are those about the importance of community and human connection. Whether it’s news about people coming together to support each other during crises or heartwarming stories of strangers becoming lifelong friends, these narratives emphasize the significance of human bonds.
One story that I believe deserves more attention is the ongoing refugee crisis. Despite the scale and impact of this humanitarian issue, it often doesn’t receive the consistent coverage it deserves in mainstream media. The challenges faced by refugees, their resilience, and the efforts of communities and organizations to support them are stories that highlight both the struggles and the strength of the human spirit.
The lack of coverage could be due to several factors, including media fatigue, competing news priorities, and sometimes, political sensitivities. However, raising awareness about these stories is crucial as it encourages empathy, understanding, and action.
Capstone Project Update
I’m excited to share that my Capstone Project draft is ready and will be uploaded to Canvas soon. Here’s an update on the progress:
Project Focus: My Capstone Project explores the time efficiency of attending to patients in the U.S. healthcare system compared to European systems. The objective is to identify best practices that can be adopted to improve patient care efficiency in the U.S.
Progress and Highlights:
- Data Collection: Extensive data from my observations and experiences in European clinics, particularly in Valencia, Spain.
- Interviews: Conducted insightful interviews with healthcare professionals, providing qualitative data to support my research.
- Analysis: Analyzing the data to draw meaningful comparisons and identify key factors influencing efficiency.
Challenges:
- Data Comparison: Finding common metrics for comparing different healthcare models has been challenging.
- U.S. Data: Obtaining comparable data from U.S. clinics has been more difficult than anticipated. Efforts are ongoing to reach out to professionals and institutions to bridge this gap.
Next Steps:
- Finalizing the analysis and drawing conclusions.
- Compiling the findings into a comprehensive report.
- Preparing for the presentation of the project.
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