Medical Student of Bahiana live experience in Romania

After losing her father in a traffic accident and witnessing her mother succumb to a level of hypertension that caused her kidney failure, Nadjane Siqueira Vieira de Oliveira had no doubts: her future lay in the area of ​​health. Born in Juazeiro (BA), a medical student at Bahiana he is president of the Academic League of Nephrology. She, who came to live in Salvador to attend high school at the Salesiano College, has a hobby of reading, in addition to valuing the time she has with her family. Now 25 years old, the student is in Romania, where she performs a cultural exchange related to health and childhood education. Check out the interview.

Nadjane Siqueira Vieira

- Why did you decide to study medicine?
I lost my father in a traffic accident. After this tragedy, my mother developed hypertension and suddenly lost both kidney function. I lived away from her for two years, as she had to undergo hemodialysis in Salvador. After two years of hemodialysis, my uncle donated his kidney to my mother. This, without a doubt, was and is my biggest motivation to be a doctor. I see my mother in all patients and I know what it feels like to be vulnerable. well, when entering the Bahiana, I waited for the selection period for the Academic League of Nephrology, of which I am a part and today I am president. The amazing thing about all of this is that my advisors are Dr. Edson Paschoalin, the surgeon who performed my mother's transplant, and Dr. Raphael Paschoalin, her son. I'm sure this wasn't a fluke.

- How did this exchange to Romania take place?
I've always participated in social projects and I was looking for something different, I wanted to challenge myself. I looked for an international volunteer program related to early childhood education. I applied and applied for the vacancy and was selected. The global volunteer program exists all over the world, including in Salvador and it was through this that I got involved in the project, in an attempt to be chosen.

- How was the choice of the topic (children's education)?
My initial intention was to understand how children from other countries are being educated. I apologize for the cliché, but I truly believe they are "the future". After going through the Family Health course, in which I met children lacking food, home, love, I realized that, in fact, we must take care of the "little ones" if we want better days. The theme of this exchange is the International Kindergarten-program that takes place in Europe, in which early childhood education is highly valued and is an investment destination. In it, I could see how much we Brazilians have to learn and how much our public education needs to improve.

- What activities have you been developing there?
My internship consists of cultural exchange, I teach my culture and learn Romanian culture. Games, conversations, educational and interactive ways are used. Here they advocate the reduction of cultural intolerance and start this program with the children. I have contact with the University of Craiova and visits to the Faculty of Medicine are scheduled. I'm learning about the Romanian health system and especially about public health campaigns. And already, I can assure you, we are a thousand light-years away when it comes to public health. I say this, not because I am enthusiastic about the Unified Health System (SUS), but because I am certain that we are currently experiencing a process of significant improvement in public health. There are many points to be seen, of course, but our gains must be emphasized.

- What are your earnings from this experience?
My biggest gains are personal. I try to be a better human being, more tolerant, understanding, because I know that in this way, I will be a human professional, in addition to academic gains in terms of valuing my faculty, Bahiana, from my teachers, from my profession, because here in Romania the doctor is undervalued.

- Bahiana did you have any role in this process? Which one?
Totally. Since the beginning of my graduation, I tried to absorb the humanitarian concepts that were passed on. From Medical Psychology to Family Health, the desire to "be a person", "to take care of people" grew in me. The humanitarian content that the Bahiana prints to the medical course is essential for the training of the doctor.

- Could you tell me any moment that most marked you during the exchange?
I'm still living, so it's still very difficult to answer. Everything is interesting and remarkable. But, beforehand, I can say that the most striking thing is the importance given to early childhood education, including university courses to teach the "little ones".

- How is the exchange of cultural experiences with the Romanians going?
It's been great, challenging. We Brazilians have a peculiar culture that is quite different from the rest, which is why it is sometimes difficult. They are very receptive and try to put me at ease. So far, I haven't regretted my choice and I recommend this kind of experience to everyone.

- You said you have experience with volunteering. What have you already done in this regard?
Since I was little I saw my mother in volunteer work. I started effectively at Mansão do Caminho, in 2003, at the Lygia Baths Community Center, serving the communities of Pau da Lima and São Marcos. My activity has always been aimed at children.

- How long will the exchange last? How can other students apply for this experience?
My internship started on November 8th and ends on December 22nd. If anyone is interested in being a global citizen, they should contact AIESEC, a company founded by young Ukrainians after World War II, in order to encourage cultural exchange, as they understand that the reason for the current conflicts was cultural intolerance and we realize this until today, unfortunately.

Nadjane Siqueira Vieira de Oliveira is a 4th semester student of the Medicine course

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