Bangladesh??

Less then a year ago I was looking on the map where Bangladesh is and now what do you know…here I am sitting on the concrete floor of my bedroom in Bangladesh. I love that. Really great to be here! So much has happened since a week ago when I arrived, I’m trying to think of how to best articulate it but here goes:

Where? Malumghat District, Bangladesh
What? Here to work as a clinical instructor in the new nursing program started at the hospital here.
When? Now until….only God knows, depending on my visa situation (3-6 months).
Why? If you’re interested email me: wiebejolene@gmail.com I would be happy to send you updates beyond the physical aspect to the heart of things happening here.

Since I left home, until I arrived at my new home here = 48hrs. Jet lagged…yep! Travelling here...can fly either direction around the world, basically the same. Longest flight ever from Vancouver to Guangzhou China (yep, never heard of it till I flew through it). 13.5 hrs.

Here is my new home:

It's kinda hotel style, right now there's 4 other women living in the same house.

This is my view out of my house. The 'cal', basically an inlet of the Bay of Bengal. Rice fields for miles.

Our sitting area
My space...and a few cochroaches
'Living room'
Kitchen...haven't eaten here once yet. I head over to Susan and Ruthie our neighbors to eat. They have amazing cooks with amazing food!

I arrived here last Wed afternoon, Thurs had orientation to the compound, met with few different people as well as the nursing students for a picnic, and a hospital tour. Friday (is our Sundays), church in the village across the street in the morning, and expat church here in the evening. Saturday myself and 4 other girls/women from the compound went out Cox’s Bazaar for the day – lunch, and some shopping. Shopping once again proved to be a unique experience...I think shopping is universally fun, no matter where you are. Haven't forgotten how to bargain yet.

Since the start of this week I’ve been able to spend some time in the different areas of the hospital – physio, OR – observed a few surgeries, male and female wards. I’ve also been spending some time going through the curriculum - finding out where the students are at. Healthcare can be a whole other world in a different country – some similarities from other countries but so many differences. I’ve been trying to learn the different policies/procedures, how the hospital is run (flow of things, charting, meds, roles/responsibilities/scope of nurses, different diseases, how different diseases/injuries are treated here differently from at home, etc). Also trying to learn a new culture...cultural tact, respect, etc. So many differences…not that I wasn’t expecting it but many things you don’t know till you live it. Meeting multiple new people…expatriot staff as well as local staff. I’m thinking these names are impossible. Next week I will be starting Bengal lessons…that kinda scares me. So much more to say, but that'll have to suffice for now. Hopefully this internet will let me post :).