Fran's life post gloucester...

Hey All -

So since last blogging I have left Gloucester, yay! and am now back in Bristol for a unit called ''medicine and surgery''. You may be confused what i have been doing up till now....me too in some senses.....So its lovely to be back home. I actually feel like I've moved into my house now! Have done the last exam and have a little while (though not that long....:S) before the next thing due in/next exam.

Bad news is that i no longer live next door to Alex. (campaigns news person i happened to be placed with in Gloucester!) This has come as sad news although may not be an entirely bad thing.....! She is however still with me for next unit so is not that bad.

I graduate from International Health in Bristol in a couple of weeks time with Mummy Fran is coming along to so that will be mighty lovely.

As far as Medsin in concerned, I have been thinking about Haiti and trying to remember all that I learnt about it last year and continuing to newsletter, evote, minute-ify etc.

We had a global health central teaching day the other day which has reminded me of the point which i had forgotten since last year. That was nice:)

In other news my west wing addiction continues. i'm on series 4:S

Thats about it people xxx

Sunny Christmas, and Snowy New Year!!

Well the month before the Christmas break was pretty hectic as I scrambled to finish off deadlines before heading off to Johannesburg. But once I got on that plane, I got to start my holiday with the onboard movies!

SA was wonderfully hot, and it was glorious to spend so much time outdoors, but best of all I got to see my family for the first time in two years. It reminded me how much I miss the lifestyle out there, and emphasised my desire to return and practice Medicine. I have great dreams of living with my family, and working in the Trauma pit at Joburg general - but such dreams are a long way off.

But in the meantime it is a good incentive to keep working with such organisations as Medsin UK, because there is nothing so humbling as realising that as British medical students, we are some of the most fortunate people in the world. Everyday I complain about the menial things, but really I should be thankful that I have so much - brilliant free healthcare being just one of the many. Haiti truly highlights our fortune - and with such reminders it is reasonable to hope that we try our best to never be complacent.

My return to England didn't have quite so many revelations to rejoice in, and rather I have to accept that I am not quite as invincible as I have always thought of myself as.

Unfortunately I haven't been very well, and have finally got to the point where I have had to take some time off. SO be warned Medsinners - Burnout exists, even for medical students. Apparently you can't do everything. I'm sure the Pharmacology world will be devastated, but fear not I have great plans to return and finish the work I have made such a great start on.

So not a great start to the year, but at least I will have more time for Medsin, assumin

g I have the energy for it. I'm sure the experience will mature as me as a person, and better me as a doctor in the future.

My 2010 so far hasn't been what I wished for, but every challenge only betters you.

From Global Negotiations to Local Touring!

It's been a rough but exhilarating ride in Medsin the past month or so. Wrapping up the term after an amazing array of events, activities and developments in the Medsin network would leave most in need of a good break, but instead off I went for the UN Climate Change negotiations in Copenhagen (COP15) for 10 days. Crazy!

COP15

More about the conference and our work there is available at http://medsincop.wordpress.com/. Briefly, the week was a steep learning curve in understanding how decisions are made in global politics, working with inspiring youth activists from around the world, and taking our campaign efforts to a new level as we sought to represent the health caucus at the conference. Sadly, we weren't to see a new treaty emerging from the negotiations; government leaders instead voted with their wallets and struggled to reconcile their economic ambitions, as opposed to their desire for a safe environment. We left the conference downhearted at first, but with time this has only driven us in our desire for a strong, grassroots movement calling for the change the world needs to see for a fair and just global society.

Campaigning in Copenhagen. Left: Climate Change & Health action stunt with WHO Public Health and Environment Director Dr Maria Neira. Right: Guppi and Jonny endorse the Lancet's diagnosis of climate change as the "greatest global health threat of the 21st century".

Holidays :)

After the whirlwind of Copenhagen a break was well-needed! Spent a great week or so at home, celebrating the new year with friends and recharging the batteries for all that 2010 is going to provide. After stocking up on food, drink and all the mince pies I could manage, it was off to London to prepare for our exciting start to 2010: the Medsin Branch Tour!

The Medsin Branch Tour 2010 Website! www.medsin2010tour.wordpress.com.

Going Local!

As our ambitions for making Medsin a strong force to be reckoned with grow, my hope is throughout the next coming 2 months to engage with as many Branches and members of Medsin to discover what Medsin means to them, what glue holds our network of projects and campaigners together, and how we can strengthen and unite the structures and people in our network to become a true force for change. We'll be blogging (yes, more blogging!) at http://medsin2010tour.wordpress.com/ as we go, so check it out and hope to see you at one of the next events!