Tuesday 1 September 2020

The Struggle of Working from Home in a Pandemic

By Ali Nychuk, 1st year MDP student


Hi, it’s Ali again! First, I want to take a moment to thank my Field Placement host First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM) for the lovely experience and an opportunity to continue our work on the Indigenous-Specific Anti-Racism program for Physicians and Health Care providers.   When I thought I was going to New Zealand, I specifically requested that placement was not solely a “desk job”, in reflection there is such irony not only was my placement a desk job it was in the comforts of my own home. Not to mention I was extremely grateful to even have a desk job during the pandemic.

 

Completing a Field Placement during a pandemic has required me to use my skill set in unprecedented ways. An excellent example of this was the use of my biomechanics knowledge to create my own DIY ergonomic office-space. It even called on my creativity as I had to improvise using various textbooks to create a laptop stand. 

 

I wish I had an epiphany moment that caused me to become super fit or caused me to become an excellent baker, but it didn’t. However, it caused me to reflect and be extremely grateful. I am grateful to be able to work, to have safety, to have technology to communicate with my loved ones, colleagues, and classmates. How wonderful it will be to hug all of them again! It is my hope that this appreciation continues to permeate into other seasons.