Week 1: Guatemala City

Hello friends! I have just decided, about a week into my summer, to try to keep a blog. First, it will remind me to take pictures. Second, it will provide you with an answer to what I did this summer. And third, it will force me to write something non-academic for the first time in, hmmm, years? And I just realized that this paragraph so far looks a lot like the introduction of a research paper. Oy vey.

On May 7, I arrived in Guatemala, City where I will spend six weeks working with a health studies organization at a Guatemalan university. The organization primarily conducts HIV surveillance and behavioral research in Central America. My main task while here is to work on a journal article for a 2010 study that compared two different sampling methods (one that’s social network-based and one that’s venue-based) which were implemented at the same time within the same population (men who have sex with men in Guatemala City). I won’t bore you with details (okay no promises), but the article will describe the implementation and operational issues associated with each sampling method. I’m really excited because this will be the first time that I’m taking the lead in writing an article, and I’m able to write about a topic and population of both public health importance and personal interest.

After my first week here, I’m incredibly impressed with the people I’m working with – a very accomplished, international crew from all over the Americas: Guatemala, the US, el Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, and I’m sure even more that I can’t remember right now. The office environment is great; everyone has been really welcoming and I’m especially enjoying the open air, meaning that I’m not freezing all the time like I usually am in offices.

Last Wednesday was Mother’s Day here and we celebrated with a group lunch of chop suey, cake, and dancing. Thursday and Friday were quite busy because I was helping the team with a proposal for the Pan American Health Organization; I got to pretend like I know things about evaluation methods and brush up on my Spanish-to-English translation skills. This week, I’ll mainly be conducting interviews with members of the study teams, which will inform the results presented in the article I’m writing.

Outside of work things have been great too. I’m living with two lovely coworkers, who have graciously offered me a room in their home and rides to and from the office. I also joined a really fancy gym where one of my housemates belongs with lots of classes, a hot tub, and a sauna. Since my housemate is (a) really into exercising, and (b) my ride from work, I have turned into somewhat of a gym rat.

And if you're wondering, yes the only photo on this post is a stock image from my gym's website. I will do better next time.

I’ve also been spending time with E, a gringa who’s been living in Guatemala City for 3.5 years. She’s been great to hang out with and has introduced me to the wonders of Guate such as the central market, views from the top of a parking garage, pan con chile (sandwich with chile relleno inside mmmm), a live Trova music night, the benefits of treating oneself to a massage, and some amazing graffiti/street art, among others.

That’s all for now, more to come!