A Brand New Writing Perspective

Posted on by sidneychwialkowski

I didn’t really know how my writing intensive credit was going to fit into this class. When I found out I would need to create a blog and a website I figured it out I had a lot of fun.

Throughout the course of the semester, I learned a lot about issues that arise in media. I didn’t know what to expect from this class but I learned a lot!

Creating this website was an experience to say the least! I didn’t really know what I wanted to write about but once I figured that out It was a ton of fun. I chose to write about becoming a Physician Assistant because that is what I want to do and I am very passionate about it. I included the academic side of the career as well as the health care part of it.

The thing I like most about this class was the form of writing. It is counted as a writing intensive class for me but it seemed to be more to me. I enjoyed writing for this class because it wasn’t just writing one paper and getting a grade. It allowed us to be creative and utilize what we learned in class. Overall I would take this class again!


Why Economics Should Be Required

Posted on by sidneychwialkowski

As a future medical professional, I have taken many science courses that will be used in my career. What I haven’t done is taken classes that will be relevant to life itself… Until I came here!

As a future medical professional, I have taken many science courses that will be used in my career. What I haven’t done is taken classes that will be relevant to life itself… Until I came here!

When I arrived at University of Limerick, I decided that I wanted to expand my education to the world. I chose to take an Economics class. As it turs out I really enjoy it.

The first subject we learned about was GDP, Gross Domestic Product. I never realized how one number was such a determinant of a nation’s economic standing. Although there are many factors that play into that number, it’s absolutely fascinating how significant that number is. The image below demonstrates the calculation of GDP:

Another subject that interested me is the impact of unemployment. I understood that a high unemployment rate was not good, but I had no idea how much it impacted the government and its finances. What most people don’t understand is that a person’s opportunity to have a job only scratches the surface of what is really happening. 

Economics is one of those subjects that isn’t exactly fun to learn but is extremely helpful to know. I’m very excited to apply this newfound knowledge when looking at stock markets and watching the local news. Maybe know I will actually understand what they’re saying and what is happening! 

When I arrived at University of Limerick, I decided that I wanted to expand my education to the world. I chose to take an Economics class. As it turs out I really enjoy it.

(1) Dadamimi Follow. (2011, January 24). Gross domestic product. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/dadamimi/gross-domestic-product-6685416



Iron Deficiency: We Need to Fight it FAST

Posted on by sidneychwialkowski

Last week in Nutrition we learned about anemia, one of the most prevalent and widespread issues in public health worldwide. Amemia is the lack of iron in the blood. Iron is used to carry oxygen to red blood cells. If there not enough iron, this leads to much more severe problems.

Iron stores in the body are especially low in women of childbearing age. This is extremely harmful to both the mother and the baby. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, if iron deficiency does occur during pregnancy, there I should a chance of low birth weight, preterm delivery, or permenanent low-iron effects post-partum.(1)

However there are way to combat this problem. The most effective way to get people of all ages the amount of iron they require isn’t to fortify common food sources. Fortification is the addition of nutrients to food to prevent disease from developing or to improve health overall.

Another option is to provide supplements. This would also be effective in fighting Dior can deficiency. Giving out supplements would be effective because we’re able to to regulate how much iron people would be receiving.

I believe iron deficiency is something that needs to be helped now. It effects many people worldwide and leads to many more severe health issues. There isn’t no easy way to do this but I know that if we take the first step we could start a chain reaction. Do you have any suggestions on how to start?

(1) Allen, & H, L. (2000, May 01). Anemia and iron deficiency: Effects on pregnancy outcome. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/71/5/1280S/4729385

Irish History: Literary Perspective

Posted on by sidneychwialkowski

Literature has never been my forte but this semester I am taking an Irish literature class. I decided to take it here because I wanted to learn how the people of Ireland depicted their country.

I have gotten way more than I bargained for! The stories I’ve read so far depicted Ireland has a bad place with no opportunity and conflicts with the North. I recently read a story “Korea” by John McGahern which paints an interesting picture of familial relationships and war.

I’ve read many stories that have difficult familial relationships. There was one however that I enjoyed reading because of its complexity, The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen.

This story emphasizes children’s lives and expectations in 1935. I like this particular story because of the many connections between characters and plots being made. The main character was taken back through the history of his mother’s life, which made it all too real for him. He finds out:

  • Who his father is
  • Who his mother is
  • Why his mother abandoned him
  • What happened to his father

There are many twists and turns throughout the book, even some scandal that answers all the questions he has been asking his whole life.

Throughout the many stories I have read, I discovered family is not a main priority. There was much conflict in the household and women were depicted more as workers rather than family members, which was difficult for me to adjust to.

Overall, I’ve enjoyed this class and learned a lot about Irish culture in the early to mid 19th century. There have been many twists and turns but I am excited to read the rest to learn more about this country’s history.

Vitamins and Minerals used proactively

Posted on by sidneychwialkowski

Recently in my Nutrition class we learned about a degenerative and potentially debilitating disease called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is caused by your bodies inability to regenerate bone faster than it is lost. (1)

Although there could be many causes to the development of osteoporosis, intake of vitamins and minerals is one risk factor that leads to the onset of osteoprosis. The specific mineral in this disease is calcium because it is the main component in the development of bone.

Other diseases that are caused by malnutrition:

  • anemia: lack of oxygen in the blood
  • pellagra: deficiency of vitamin B3
  • rickets: weak bones in children

Many people believe that the only thing that can solve medical problems such as osteoporosis is medicine. This is not true. Many medical problems stem from malnutriton or nutrient deficiency. Which is a quick fix in many people’s lives.

A simple change in diet, whether it is elimination or reduction of a food, can solve many problems. Once the problem has been diagnosed, it’s only a matter of time before symptoms are alleviated.

I believe that more people need to believe that medication is not always the answer. They also need to watch what they’re eating to prevent the chance of micronutrient deficiency.

(1) Osteoporosis. (2016, July 07). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351968

Should euthanasia be an option?

Posted on by sidneychwialkowski

This week in my Philosophy and Ethics in Healthcare class we discussed euthanasia. According to the National Cancer Institute, “an easy or painless death, or the intentional ending of the life of a person suffering from an incurable or painful disease at his or her request.“ (1).

We had a guest lecturer from Belfast come in and talk about euthanasia and the philosophy behind it. Euthanasia is a conflicting subject due to the result. Below is a map of the worldwide legalization of euthanasia.

Euthanasia is a very ethically difficult subject because despite everything that is happening, the end result is death.

Throughout the class we discussed every person’s right to life. So I what happens to patient autonomy? Patient autonomy falls second to a their right to life.

Where does that leave us? There really is no correct answer. You have to respect your own morals, but also respect the patient’s wishes. Adding laws into the moral decision makes it that much harder. Many places throughout the world don’t allow it because you, as a medical professional, are ending someone’s life.

In my opinion, euthanasia should never be legal anywhere. Purposely ending the life of someone, even if it is an option medically, should never be a moral option.


“NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.” National Cancer Institute, http://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/euthanasia.

Eat What You Want, It’s More Fun

Posted on by sidneychwialkowski

Last week in my Public Health Nutrition class we discussed how our environment can influence behavior change and eating habits. We all know that many factors contribute to our food choice. What are the biggest factors when it comes to dinner time?

For me, it is availability. I’m going to eat whatever I have in my fridge or cupboards. I don’t usually want to go out of my way to find something to eat. Another factor that I have found influences me is my peers. If my friends tell me they’re going to Chipotle, I want to go along. Plus, who can pass up a burrito?

In my years of studying nutrition we’ve also discussed family ties to meal time. If you grew up sitting around the table with your family, eating a big meal, it is likely that you will want to carry on the tradition of cooking yourself a hot meal.

There are times when I am so hungry that I don’t care what I eat, as long as I can digest it I’ll eat it. Another factor that has played into my diet, which might be the same for you, is trying new foods.

Moral of the story, don’t let outside factors influence what you want to eat. Eat what you want!

Ethics of Informed Consent

Posted on by sidneychwialkowski

This semester, I am taking a module that teaches us about ethics in health care. As a future health care professional, ethics is a huge part of my job. This week in class we discussed informed consent. Informed consent is interesting to me because there is a large amount of variability when talking about this.

To me, informed consent is one of many important factors when deciding the best treatment for a patient. I agree that the patient deserves to know everything that is going on. Throughout the lecture, we discussed how it is our responsibility, as medical professionals, to know what is in the best interest for the patient. We have a responsibility to tell the patient everything we know so that they can make an informed decision regarding how treatment will proceed.  

Why is that so hard?

The conflict comes when the patient is not in the right state of mind. What happens if that person is unable to make that decision? Then who makes that decision? There is no right or wrong answer. When I heard this, I couldn’t believe it, to think that maybe what the patient wants isn’t always what is best, and we can’t always do what they say.

The key to solving ethical issues like this is to remember to keep the best interest of the patient in mind. This might mean going against the family’s issues which led me to conclude that medicine altogether could become a conflicting career path. So, what do we do?…..

New country, new school

Posted on by sidneychwialkowski

As an international student in a new country, at a new school, I am finding it difficult to navigate the University of Limerick campus. At my home university, my classes are mainly in one building due to my major, here, taking many different classes, it’s challenging to walk from one end of the campus to the other in ten minutes, sometimes less.

More specifically, the main building on campus is extremely confusing to navigate due to the interesting names of the levels. Not only that, but also the hallways bring me around much further than I need to go. There have been multiple occasions over the past two weeks where I have walked into the wrong class right when the lecturer was beginning to give his lecture. How embarrassing! However, there is a positive side to the confusion. I get to see more of this beautiful campus. My schedule allows me to all three parts of campus, so I am fortunate for that.

This campus is very similar to my home school back in the States which gives me a little sense of home. I’m hoping by next week I will be able to navigate the campus without looking at a map on my phone.