So...here we go

I'm regretting a little that I waited so long to write my first post. I left the Cornell Campus two weeks ago, spent two weeks in Puerto Rico, and I'm already back in the States, getting ready for my internship! So much going on!

Saludpromujer

Being in Puerto Rico was not really a vacation... Instead of just being home, seeing family and friends and going to the beach, I worked part time with the organization that hired me last summer: Saludpromujer (translates to Health pro women). Saludpromujer is a small organization in the Medical School of the University of Puerto Rico. They work in transforming the medical school curriculum to be more inclusive of women's topics, do reaserch and organize educational events, mostly on different topics of women's reproductive health and rights.

So they called me: they needed a hand with organizing their library and writing some educational articles on reproductive health services for their website. I could not and I did not want to say no, and I collaborated with them by working on those tasks. However, the real experience of working with Saludpromujer has come from the conversations and interactions I've had with the people who work there. Eventhough I am not always working on something directly related to biology or medicine, whenever I'm in that office, I'm absorbing information, feelings, and experiences of these women who work there, experiences that nurture my interest in the subject. And now, I'm ready to keep exploring the field...


Welcome to NYC. Now...explore.

New York City. I've been here, several times. I've walked around, I've taken pictures, I've visited the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State building. Now...living and working in Manhattan for a summer as a college student, that's something else.

CUSP gives 30 students the opportunity to work for a summer with a non-profit organzation in NYC on a social justice issue of our interest. We get housing, an unlimited metrocard, and a salary. It's a great deal! As you already notice (or know, if you read the 'about me' box) I'm very interest in issues of women's health, specially reproductive health and rights. So we found the perfect non-profit for me: The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. Yes, I know, very long name. I'll be working as part of their research department. I'm very very excited! Everyone there seems to be nice, great, passionate people. I know it will be an awesome learning experience.

Today is day 2 in the city. So far, I've had a great time. We have orientation for three days, and today we had a special project to complete for orientation. We were divided in groups of 5 or 6 and each group was assigned a neighborhood. We just went out into the field to explore and do an informal ethographic study of them. My group was assigned to Williamsburg in Brooklyn. It was a very interesting place, and we only walked accross a third of the neighborhood! We walked for hours identifying the different ethnicities of the residents, observing the shops, the buildings, the people at the park. It was a great learning experience, and... I think I am actually less scared of walking around places I don't know and exploring...let's see how that goes.

Tomorrow we're supposed to have a tour of the city. That means lots of walking! I'll write about it later on.