Olivia's first weeks in Italy with NGSE

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With my bags packed and ready to go, I headed to northern Italy at the beginning of this month! I have been completing my placement at Ospedale Ca' Foncello di Treviso (Treviso General Hospital), where I have had the opportunity to join the Audiology and Phoniatrics unit and shadow doctors and other healthcare professionals. While observing, I have learned in depth about the complex mechanisms of the ear, nose, and throat in producing speech, maintaining balance, and hearing, among other functions.

Photo #1: Visiting Arena di Verona, an amphitheatre once used for spectating gladiator contests!

In the clinic, I witnessed various laryngoscopies, where a flexible camera at the end of a tube was passed through the nose to view the larynx. This helped us understand the organic causes of the various voice quality and swallowing issues seen in the clinic. It has been quite eye-opening to see these diagnostic tools in action and the quick decision-making doctors make every day to get patients the help they need.

Photo #2: Venice as seen from the boat!

Apart from my time shadowing at the hospital, I have been spending my free time trying new foods and doing as much exploring as I can fit in. Recently, my host family took me to Venice, where I got to see the beautiful canals and various exhibits from Venice’s Biennale, an international art exhibition.

I also had the chance to visit Slovenia on one of my weekends, where I got to visit some beautiful castles, lakes, and caves. Did you know that forests cover approximately 60% of Slovenia’s land area? That makes Slovenia the third most forest-covered country in the EU!

In Ljubljana, I also got to try some traditional foods, such as štruklji (rolled dumplings) and čufti (meatballs).