Many have been requesting an update on the work situation… So here it goes. The internship here at ASDM as gotten 100 times better. Perhaps this is due to my comfortability level adjusting, or maybe I’ve learned the ropes of the company, or simply the fact that I’ve gotten to know the individuals with whom I work with. In any case I can now say I enjoy what I do here. Different projects come my way daily, each incorporating an interesting element of biology and medicine whether it is researching Bovine Serum Albumin, Polyvinyl Chloride, Drug eluting Beads, different forms of chemotherapy, Silicones reaction to physiologically replicated solutions, Anastamosis, Organ preservatives like Phosphate Buffer Saline solutions, or Simply the morphological and structural components of Arteries and veins. All in all I’m learning a ridiculous amount of information which, I presume, will not only aid in my understanding and application of this material to a future career in the medical field, but I’m thoroughly developing my research skills. (I know I’ve done a ton of research when I return to a journal in the ScienceDirect database only to find that several of the linked articles appear to be highlighted in purple as apposed to blue, revealing previous visits). In any case I think the experiences I’m gaining here will inevitably aid in my development.
To top it off, I get to actively participate in Experimental protocols and designs. I’m gaining an understanding in re-creating physiological stresses in mechanical simulations in which to mimic different pressures of which ASDM’s devices may face upon their use and acceptance within the medical field. I’m learning the extensive processes and steps needed to get products on the market, of which usually takes years and hundreds of specifically designed tests. What I will acquire from this experience I could never have conceived possible at the very beginning of this internship when I even doubted my placement.
Aside from the technical stuff, people are really nice here. Though lunchtime is usually still at a minimum, I still find time to talk to everyone about a range of things from comparing American to Australia, to talking about beer and rugby, I find myself rather comfortable within this setting.
I still manage to down more than 5 cups of tea a day here, of which everyone finds astonishing. Luckily it’s free quality green tea, provided by the company. Recently I’ve started running to work which takes far less time than taking the bus. (To work, maybe not, it’s about 40-50 minutes, but getting home takes about an hour and a half!!) In either case it takes about 45-45 minutes to run here or back. The place has a shower, which appeals to convenience, and I have all the clothes (and soap) necessary for the work day. I decided that Mondays I’ll cook large amounts of food (usually a lentil soup/ or stew) and that will last me the week. Unfortunately a recent accident resulted in the fish/mussel stew spilling in my back pack…Nevertheless I notice everyone here runs with a back pack, I asked about it and apparently people often RUN TO WORK! (I fit in, Yay) But I doubt I’ll resort to running with a backpack…that’s just weird.
To top this experience off, around the corner is Sydneys largest rock climbing facility! ASDM employees get in free! (aside from the 2$ rental fee for the harness and the 2$ for the chalk bag). Yesterday I went for the first time after I got off from work at 5:00 with the other interns. I re-learned quickly how to Belay, and as soon as I knew it I was scaling wall after wall. I partnered up with the other intern, Nyan, and we just switched off belaying and scaling. Haah. I tried some pretty crazy stuff. One included what looked to be a rope ladder FOR GIANTS. If you can imagine it was about 5 ft between each log which were suspended by two ropes running parallel on each side. And it went all the way up to the ceiling. Pretty difficult…. Another included just a rope. I wanted to be a badass and climb just using my arms, like Riddick (Vin Diesel) in Chronicles of Riddick …Whoa that tired me out quick, Reached half way and did another method of getting up. Turns out I’m pretty good at this and I suspect I will for sure be back on numerous other occasions to take full opportunity of this valuable resource.
That’s it for now! We have class today at 4:00 and then Karen is taking us all out to eat tonight!
Stay Tuned!
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