Going into this program, I was nervous. Nervous that I would forget to pack something, that my shy disposition would prevent me from making friends, and that I would never be able to understand obras sociales. Now I’m here, typing my final blog post in Argentina, and I can now confidently say that I have…
Tag: Adriana Rivera
Heartfelt Pursuits
This past week has left my mind swimming with thoughts of the three sectors of healthcare in Argentina. Public, obras sociales, and private are terms we have become well acquainted with at this point. That’s why I was surprised when today’s first discussion focused on another way for people to receive healthcare: mutualism. It’s easier…
Austral had it all
After a weekend focused on relaxation and Argentine history, we jumped back into the world of healthcare. Our first stop was Hospital Universitario Austral. It was interesting to see how this private hospital compared to the private hospitals belonging to Swiss Medical Group. As hinted in the name, Hospital Universitario Austral is very connected to…
Museums in Argentina
Lynnea and me!!!!! This beautiful day in Argentina began with a good sleep. Today was really the only day we did not have to be ready in the lobby at 8am, so I made sure to take advantage of it. I slept in until 9am and it was pure bliss. I ate the hotel breakfast…
Like Riding a Bike
It is the early 17th century, and you are given an important task: to deliver a terracotta statue of the Virgin Mary to Santiago del Estero. The hopes are that this statue will strengthen Catholicism in that area. Throughout the trip, oxen have been pulling their cart at a steady pace, but suddenly they stop….
Trials of Tigre: Healthcare on the Water
I think I may have found my new favorite form of transportation. After about an hour on the bus, we boarded a boat to Tigre! I loved being able to look out at houses and wave at people on boats as we passed by. As you’ve probably guessed by now, Tigre is a region surrounded…
Access for All
Today we dove into the public side of Argentine health and education. We started off with a 45 minute bus ride to Hospital Paroissien. The environment was much more casual than I had expected. As we passed through the hospital, we saw sections where incense was burning, cats (who we later found out were the…
Requiescant in Pace
One of the best feelings is having extra time in the morning. After getting ready, we were told that the bus was stuck in traffic, and many people took this as a chance to have a quick breakfast and relax. Eventually taxis arrived in its place. My group’s driver was great. When he heard that…
Loca en La Boca
Another amazing day in Argentina! We woke up bright and early and got a quick breakfast before boarding the bus. The first person we spoke with today was Dr. Daniel Ferrante, the current Deputy Minister of Health of CABA. He outlined the Argentine healthcare system and discussed a variety of struggles such as waste of…
Healthcare Fragmentation… and Frankenstein?
Many have heard of the infamous creature from Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein”. In the media, Victor Frankenstein’s creation is often portrayed as a humanoid monster sewn together with mismatched parts. So why was this creature being brought up in our discussion of the Argentine healthcare system? Argentina promises healthcare as a human right. To follow through…
Excitement, exhaustion, and exploration
After a night-long quest to find a comfortable sleeping position and the occasional battle with turbulence, we finally made it to Buenos Aires. Despite only getting a few hours of sleep, my heart was racing with excitement. I had now officially left the United States for the first time, and I had no idea what…
Away to Argentina!
Hello! My name is Adriana Rivera, and I am wrapping up my first year at Pitt. I have spent this year attempting to navigate the city via google maps, participating in the American Marketing Association, and exploring different restaurants around Oakland. In my pockets of free time, I experiment on the ukulele and create silly…