“Different School” without field trips. The idea of ​​a director who turned the program into a memorable experience

Having to give up trips to the “Otherwise School”, teachers and principals looked for opportunities to make the lessons really attractive. The students from a Natural Sciences class were really excited about the experience that the director proposed for them.

The visit began with the presentation of the rules of access to the clinic premises PHOTO: A. Dumitrescu archive

Dozens of 9th grade students had the opportunity to check, in the Otherwise School, if they chose the right profile. They are students at the “Ion Minulescu” National College in Slatina, 9th grade, Natural Sciences profile, and they chose to go to a dental clinic, to see what the work of a dentist actually entails. Out of the 28 in the class, at least 24 are determined – that's what I'm saying today – to admit to Medicine, says their director, Prof. Cristina Maria Andreiana, who set up the visit to the clinic.

Cristina Andreiana teaches English, but says she understood how important it is for students to learn directly from professionals the relevant details about trades, so this visit will not remain singular.

“Different School” exploring the fields they could choose after high school PHOTO: A. Dumitrescu archive

Because the visit with the whole class would have made extensive discussions impossible, the students were scheduled for days, coming to the clinic including Saturday. The visit lasts a few hours and the students test all levels of activity in the office, from hygiene rules, which are extremely important from the moment you step into the office, and scheduling patients at the reception, to waste management, instrument disinfection, etc.

“We are in Săptămăna Altfel and we thought of proposing a collaboration to Dr. Andreea Dumitrescu and we found openness on her part. We divided the children into several groups and we actually have the opportunity to observe in detail what is happening. You guide us, we also collaborate with the other doctors who work here, and between December 17-20, including Saturday, we will come here”, said the manager.

There are 28 students, all of whom want to become doctors. “I really love this job. It is their desire to come, they told me that after this period passes they would like to be able to come to the office again. I hope not to disturb the doctor too much, because there are quite a few of them, and on the first day, out of curiosity, they all crowded together. I see them very curious. We are very pleased that the doctor received us”added Andreiana.

“Dental medicine attracts me, but also plastic surgery”

Although they are only in their first year of high school, the students are open to trying experiences of all kinds. They chose Natural Sciences because, at least now, they are convinced that they will pursue a career in the medical field. I admit, however, that I know very little of what the work of a doctor really entails.

The students also had the opportunity to make appointments for patients PHOTO: A. Dumitrescu archive

“The director Cristina Andreiana asked us if we could welcome them to our clinic, to show them what working in a clinic actually means. Because they come as patientsbut I don't see what happens behind the medical act. I agreed too. I found it a challenge. It's not easy for us either, but I found it very interesting and I really want them to see what happens. If there are children who like it, maybe they will follow the career, if not, at least let them see and know that it is not as easy as it seems to sit on a chair at the reception, or to be a nurse, or to do sterilization”said doctor Andreea Dumitrescu.

The students had access to those spaces of the clinic where the rules allow. Grouped in pairs, at most three, they also went through the reception, learning how appointments are made, but also through two offices.

The students were observers and even patients PHOTO: A. Dumitrescu archive

“It is a bit difficult, because the work is clearly more difficult with them here, but we can receive them, with patience. They can actually practice after high school, or they can practice if they are enrolled in a form of medical volunteering, after the age of 16″, added Dr. Dumitrescu.

All the students scheduled on the first day of “work” passed through the office where Dr. Dumitrescu works. Some, however, have shown more interest than others. Among them, Maria Violeta and Anastasia, two teenagers who really wanted to learn as much as they could in a few hours.

“I have had this passion for medicine since I was little. I made a promise to myself when I was little. I promised myself that one day I would become a doctor. At the moment I am looking for a specialization. I would also be attracted to dentistry, but also general medicine, namely plastic – aesthetic surgery and reconstructive microsurgery. I like working on people, I really like things that involve manual labor, and surgery is about that aspect”revealed Maria Violeta.

Students from Natural Sciences, visiting the dental clinic PHOTO: A. Dumitrescu archive

Some of the students have their passion in the family, their parents or close relatives being doctors. This is not the case with Violeta either. “My mother is a teacher and my father is a policeman”, said the student who was so impressed by what she saw that she is leaning towards dentistry.

“I think that after this visit I'm leaning towards dentistry. I want to come as often as possible, to learn as many things as possible. They seem like very interesting things to me. I didn't know the name of the surgical instruments, I wasn't in the position of an observer, to see how they work in a medical office. I also learned to enter the data into the system and organize the appointments, and we would be able to interact with the world, with the patients, and ask them if they need something, to we're having a conversation”said the student.