Tropical Nursing in ?England?

So today was my second day of school. It still makes me laugh inside to think I only have class one day a week and have so much free time to really enjoy the beautiful museums, parks, and markets London has to offer.

I have to say, though, it is nice to have some direction and purpose here. Today, I felt (at last!) that I finally learned something. I'm excited (in a nerdy way) to head off to the library/museum tomorrow and buckle down and do some research! I feel I now have some purpose!

For those of you who don't know, my course is called a Diploma in Tropical Nursing. Basically it briefly introduces us (nurses & midwives) to issues we would face if we worked in the Tropics and gives some direction on how to deal with them. It is expected that the lectures are a stepping stone for our own studies. Plus we also spend a few hours each week in the lab learning to diagnose tropical disease with microscopes. Cool, eh?

My course director is an amazing woman named Claire Bertschinger who is extremely friendly and who is constantly interacting with us. I think that is what really makes this program stand out - there is a lot of interaction between staff and students.

And YES!, my course is in London, England of all places! One may ask, "Why?!"
My guess would be that: a) there are a large group of people who immigrate from the tropics to England and as a result the UK see many people with tropical diseases, b)proximity to Asia, Africa,
c) I actually have no idea :)  - - - - - haha. I guess I will have to find out!

MY SCHOOL - There are bugs ALL over the building (inside & outside) which is pretty cool!