The feeling of a Mexican GA (see previous posts) was that of amiable yet chaotic manoeuvers, a route with unforeseen pitfalls and obvious breakdowns, a constant attempt to maintain a stable posture, or save a sinking ship. Yet, one still carries on this task of « disaster management », as I have called it, with…
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As this 2016 IFMSA August General Assembly approaches its end state, so is my optimism for a good ending. The Organizing Committee had proved itself resilient, and impressively so, but notwithstanding the powerful push towards better transportation plans, lunch venues and time, for its last mile to drive the GA home, it has failed in…
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Day 4. As I awake I hurrily pay attention for nausea: it is hard to decipher if it from an alien agent, or from the 1.5 hours of sleep I had last night. After breakfast, I focus my attention for symptoms that would confirm the hazard: fortunately, no upset stomach. I look at delegations around…
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What is the feeling of being at the GA in Mexico so far ? That’s a trick question; after one day of sheer chaos and existential desequilibrium, there is no clear feeling, but rather the constant yearning for a state of clarity, however ephemeral and vanishing. A quick update on the last post: yes, in…
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Ni Hao everyone, After the 2016 Regional Meeting, I am thrilled to be an IFMSA-Quebec delegate for a second time; I am now (even) older, more mature and wise, more resilient, more resourceful, more all-over-the-place, more blog ! This will be my first General Meeting, and while this can be somewhat intimidating, I am nonetheless…
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Finally back home, I have started the process of recovering from the RM. We had trouble at the airport: staying overnight in Sao Paulo after a cancelled flight, communication problems between airlines… my luggage is supposed to arrive home this afternoon, and I am looking forward to enjoying the precious Yerba Mate that I received as…
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International IFMSA meetings will always be lost in translation. Yes, in a literal way one might say, the event takes shape – for the Americas at least – through English, Spanish, Portuguese and French speakers, with over 160 students from different backgrounds and conceptions of health, medicine and social justice. Then on a more philosophical plane, there are…
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To pick up where we left off “we can siesta when we’re dead”, at this point of the journey, sleeplessness makes everything hit or miss. Either you rise and immerse and participate radiantly through the RM and social events, or you inadequately “attend” to everything in a daze, a phenomenon some have not hesitated to…
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Context: We arrived two days ago, safely for the most part (« for the most part », i.e. William was taken hostage for 8 hours in Sao Paulo and reached us only around midnight). We are anything but rested, yet thoroughly amazed by the sheer fact that the Southern Hemisphere is bathed in summer. There are greens here,…
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What’s this ? A blog post ? Probably that means I am finally doing something with my life ! Yes, good news: I will be attending IFMSA’s 2016 Regional Meeting (RM) for the Americas this January in Uruguay, and you will be in the know of this fantastic event’s highlights ! Bad news: my reporting…
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