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Dublin

My Thanksgiving was a little bit greener than what I am used too as I embarked from my bungalow in Denmark to Dublin, Ireland. I felt as if I was transported to a fairyland full of stunning moors and woods that will make you think you are in some sort of Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, Skyrim esque world. The city itself contained many facets of fascination with the Leprechaun Museum being a must see and the beautiful parks and gardens at almost every corner of the city.  

The people of Dublin are generally happy, easy going, and beyond friendly to interact with, unless it’s a rugby game. Watching men bash heads against each other with the blunt force of a hammer smacking a wall and getting into fist fights brings out a center stereotypical ‘fighting Irish’. Besides realizing that American Football is nothing compared to Rugby, the games are generally fascinating and get you hooting and howling out of your seat. My girlfriend, Kalie, and another friend were fortunate to get to catch the Rugby ball after it went through the field goal - a highlight of many.

Dublin was beyond on my favorite trip that I experienced on my tour across Europe. It is a strong recommendation if you enjoy some breathtaking nature and some lovely people. I was beyond ecstatic with my trip. I have included some pictures above to really stress the beauty.

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Long Study Tour Reflection

As I waited in the Munich Airport for my bag to arrive, I began to get enthusiastic about the possibilities the study tour might hold. I was curious about how the Long Study Tour would compare to the Short Study Tour. Even after the first lecture, I realized that I was not going to be disappointed and was about to enter a very insightful week of learning. Each day was full of a new viewpoint; I was given a different perspective to the field by every lecturer. Every talk passionately inculcated a unique facet of pharmacological neuroscience into me. Whether it was seeing and learning about Diakonia or learning about the precision of the medical tool, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM), I was thoroughly enthralled in the magic of neuroscience. Below I hope to share some of the moments that really transformed my mindset more advantageously.

A rather insightful lecture we attended was with Dr. Eva Winnebeck at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Her lecture made me realize how crucial the sun is in maintaining our biological clock, which I originally thought was based on when we woke up and went to bed. I had never considered that hormones play a role in maintaining and manipulating our clocks.  It makes sense now, but I had never considered it before the talk. Also, I had no idea the health ramifications that can be caused by the constant shift in our clock from ‘social jetlag’. My original disposition was that it only affected humans at the moment, but now I can see that it has long-term effects that can increase a lot of negative factors. After the talk, I immediately turned all my devices’ blue light filters on, concerned that the light might mess with and distort my biological clock. I also checked to see if I lived further east in my time zone, due to Dr. Winnebeck pointing out the haunting statistics of residency and health in a time zone. Sadly, I am on the more western side, so I guess it’s time to move a couple states over. Dr. Winnebeck’s talk enlightened me and gave me the chance to appreciate the science behind our circadian rhythm.

Dr. Markus Schwartz was a pivotal part of the study tour for me, mainly because of my recent infatuation with pharmacodynamics. I was exuberant to hear about the other side of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and learn about how the two studies interweave. It was exciting to be able to follow along with the lecture since Dr. Andreasen had recently taught us about atypical antipsychotics and schizophrenia.  I was surprised to see how much our body actually alters and changes the drugs through metabolism. I was unaware of the ups and downs that a patient experiences when taking a drug. It is not continuous, however, it has trough levels and steady states. I have just always assumed that once you take a drug everything begins to work out. I never realized that a drug's efficacy could be affected by just the genetics alone, which made me realize that we don’t have the drugs perfected for everyone.

Also at the talk, Dr. Schwartz brought up TDM and presented it as a possible solution for controlling patients in a simple and helpful fashion. Dr. Schwartz’s use and explanation of TDM made me question why we haven’t been implementing this already in the primary care of people on antipsychotics. It doesn’t seem advantageous of primary caregivers to just assume everything will work itself out and patients will be completely compliant, especially since Dr. Schwartz pointed out that 60% of patients are not adhering to their doctor’s prescription. I personally thought that TDM is paramount in giving the psychiatrist a chance in identifying non-compliance and the never-ending battle between potency and efficacy involving the specific genetics of the individual.

Subsequently, Dr. Sergi Papiol’s talk was also about the genetics involved in the world of psychopharmacology. This made me realize I never truly grasped the importance of genetics in psychopharmacology. It was fascinating to learn that scientists have yet to find a biological sign for schizophrenia. It intrigued me that with all this data at our fingertips, we are still limited in our ability to connect the dots. As Dr. Papiol said, “Genes are important, but not everything”. Dr. Schwartz pointed out that this is still an issue in assigning drugs to patients because of their genetics. These two presentations made me realize that I should take a genetic’s course if I want to further my understanding of the field and benefit my future when I try joining the field of psychopharmacology.

My last highlight comes from Diakonia, which was truly an eye-opener into a world I have never considered. I was beyond happy to learn about the opportunities that can be found for people with psychotic disorders. In class, we only ever see the patient or learn about the disease, we don’t get the chance to see what happens outside of the hospital setting. Diakonia provided that setting. It gave me joy to find that their overall mission is to empower and integrate workers back into society. A second chance for some of these people is hard to come by, and it was so jovial to see that second chance in action. Back home, my one aunt has special needs and is a part of a program very similar to Diakonia. Through her, I am aware of the struggles of finding a job with any sort of impairment. It is not an easy task. I was always curious if there were any chances for people with psychotic disorders to get the same opportunity that my aunt did back in the states, and I was so relieved to find that in Diakonia. It is always refreshing to see an establishment that gives people a place of meaningful work and where passions can be rediscovered and further developed.

In all, The Long Study Tour has definitely diversified and advanced my view on the field of psychopharmacology. I can not believe how fast the tour went by and how much I learned in just one week. Moreover, I can’t believe the impact that the trip has had on me personally. From getting an impactful lecture from Dr. Schwartz on the other side of psychopharmacology to being guiding through an exciting world of Diakonia, the trip never failed to leave a lasting impact o me. The study tour was interweaved perfectly, giving us a chance to see the aspect of the field of psychopharmacology applied in everyday life. I personally felt like the tour did an excellent job in relaying psychopharmacology that we experience in the classroom into the real world. I hope that one day I will use the material I learned in Munich as a reference point in whatever research and great question I try to solve.

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Photo’s From Tegernesse

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A Ticket to Tegernesse

The past week I journeyed with my psychopharmacology class to Munich, Germany. Now, you may be wondering how was my long study tour with psychopharmacology – did you learn a lot and gain new insights into the fascinating world of psychopharmacology? The answer is yes, but I will talk about that more in a later blog post. This post is all about a mini trip to Tegernsee, Germany that I made while on the study tour.

After finishing a fantastic food tour with a true Bavarian German tour guide, a group of friends and I thought it best to spend the rest of our day in the Alps of Germany – well at least the beginning of the Bavarian Alps. Maybe it would be a nice way to burn off some calories gained from the food tour.

After a one-hour train ride, I am taken away from the busy bustling streets of Munich, to the amazing quiet town of Tegernesse, Germany. Tegernesse was the first place I have seen anything bigger than a Danish Mountain (a legit hill that can’t even knock the wind out of you, even if you run) in my entire time overseas. The mountains left me breathless and eager to climb up one. My one friend Colton began to sprint up one the moment he had a chance. I forgot how much I miss my little rolling mountains, The Appalachians, back home in Pennsylvania. The homesickness passed quickly though as I watched fog roll over the mountains; angelically illuminating the town and lake below with streaks of light.

The town of Tegernesse is probably the most German town I have ever seen. With old-time medieval art tucked into every corner and the national crest on almost every building, it made me feel like I was transported back in time. The atmosphere made me zen and at peace. Whether I was wading into the cold waters of the lake or walking through the dense woods on a hike, I was at peace. I have always felt like I have a special connection with water, and I have never felt more rejuvenated than when I “walked on water” (see post above). It felt good to be back in nature. If you ever have the chance, go far as possible out of your way to be in your element. I loved every second I had on my outing in Tegernesse. I made amazing friends along the way and had an absolute blast loving what I love. I can’t thank my friends and myself for making that call to go. As John A. Shedd once said, “A ship in harbor is safe— but that is not what ships are built for.”

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Here are some pictures I took in the city this week. Copenhagen - a pocket-sized fairy tale / innovative technology paradise of the future. Honestly, the best of both worlds. 

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Had a chance to explore Ølstykke some more this weekend with Acela. This country continues to get more and more beautiful the longer I am here. It was great to be out in nature today and the school of ducks was definitely a big bonus. 

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I would like to give DIS a big thanks for choosing me to be a student blogger! To see other cool students blogs just click here! Or click on the image to get more information about DIS.

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Thoughts So Far: Core Course Week

I really don’t know what to expect during my core course week in Malmö, Sweden. It feels like I am just starting to get to know my fellow classmates, but am I ready to spend a whole three-day excursion with them? I am only beginning to get settled and adjusted in Copenhagen, so I am a little nervous to shake that up after being here for three weeks. All of my worries and fears dissipate as I realize that I am not the only DIS student concerned about their core course week. Over the past three days, I made some great friends, learned a lot, and created some amazing memories. Below, I have shared some thoughts and a couple of highlights of the trip

Core course week wasn’t just a break from classes, but a chance to experience the class material in the real world. The tour has given me a chance to take part in and see how my interest is applicable in society. Core course week wasn’t just attending lecture after lecture, but a chance to discuss research with a scientist. From talking about mental health with a psychiatrist to eating lunch and exploring a museum with fellow researchers, the forum for having an open discussion was present all three days.

Our first stop was in a psychiatric ward that specialized in the Division of Forensic Psychiatry. The stop is a highlight for me because how much it changed my perceptive on wards; at least in Sweden. We just recently started talking about psychotic disorders in class; i.e. schizophrenia. I imagined the ward not to shy of the one from The One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and American Horror Story: Alyssum. I believed that the windows would be bared and the afflicted strapped to beds. I was extremely far off.  With cool bubble lights and beautiful architecture, it was hard to believe I had just entered into a ward. I got to learn about what happens in forensic psychiatry and get a first-hand look into a new age psych ward. It wasn’t anything I ever expected to find and couldn’t believe in the dramatic changes wards have gone through in the past decades.

The tour wasn’t just visiting hospitals and wards. We had the chance to get to know our fellow DIS peers. There were some fun activities that were prearranged for us, i.e. an escape room. I have always been a little skeptical of escape rooms. Maybe I am afraid of getting locked in the room or maybe the Saw Movies messed me up for life, I digress. However, it had to be the most fun I had on the trip. From searching every inch of a room to recreating a scooby-doo like mystery vibe it was utterly fantastic. There were moments of fear and stress, but also a lot of satisfaction with each task solved propelling you into the next puzzle. It was a big highlight for me, especially when my team finished in under an hour.

Overall, I can say that these past couple of days have defiantly been a highlight of my time in Scandinavia. From going to a psychiatric ward to doing an escape room with my fellow peers and teachers, the week has not fallen short of anything but interactive and fun.

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First Week: Thoughts, Feelings, & Pastries

Picture yourself in a cozy leather chair. In one hand you are holding a warm pastry. Could be a cinnamon bun, could be a warm flaky croissant. In the other hand is a nice warm cup of coco. There is a fireplace roaring in the background, and the vast Danish sky is rolling off into the horizon. This is Copenhagen.

 No one told me that Copenhagen was not only a utopia of the future, but at the same time, a pocket-sized fairy tale. The cobble streets are bustling with the life of Copenhagen. Bikers are zipping and pedaling by, street performers are singing their hearts out, and the lovely people of Denmark are moving everywhere. I told one of my neighbors, a local Dane, “I heard that you guys are the happiest people.” He responded by telling me, “People keep telling me that and I am like, ‘how did they find out?’” You may be thinking that this is a lie, but it’s not. Almost everyone you meet here, bus drivers excluded, is always in the best mood possible. So far, the Danish people have surprised me in not only their kindness but also their openness and honesty. The people here have exceeded my expectations.

 I have been traveling around the city a lot these past couple days. In my spare time, I usually meet up with my girlfriend and friends back home to explore Denmark. On the day after we got to Copenhagen, I ventured in alone. I don’t know how I made it, but somehow, I did. Navigation isn’t hard – well it is at first. Knowing a little Danish doesn’t hurt and also not traveling alone. Google maps is the perfect application to use whenever you are in a pinch. I don’t think I could have explored as much as I did without Google maps.

 Getting lost is part of the fun. At least you should go in with that mentality. I don’t think I would have found my favorite anything here if I didn’t get lost first. It’s a beautiful place, take it all in. Don’t get consumed by the idea that you are doomed and lost forever because you got off at the wrong stop. A lot of people here speak English, and it’s not hard to find someone who does. Enjoy the moment of pure ecstasy in these foreign and scary places. You may actually find yourself in love with what’s around you.

 Coming from a small liberal arts school tucked away in a small city, DIS was a big leap from that. I have found it crazy and exciting getting from building to building in the city. Luckily, I don’t have to travel to far to get from class to class. However, my journeys are a lot more jammed pack. With the chance to stop and get an array of different pastries, coffee, and pizza – I often show up to class with a food item or two.  

 Overall, the classes are much more involved then I am used too back in America. Group work was never something I found myself enjoying or doing in every class. I am used to the ‘lecture and learn’ method. I thought I would miss this method and hate coming out of my cage (and I am doing just fine gotta gotta get down because I want it all). However, DIS does it right. I don’t know how, but they just have a knack for knowing how to do group messaging. I am not as worried as I have been the past about my fellow students lowering my GPA. As that internet meme goes “When I die I want my group project members to lower me into my grave so they can let me down one last time.”  This could be the case, but I usually have a six sense about these things. Trust me, I am a professional guesser. I mean I have made it this far.

 Overall, I am excited about everything this semester has to bring. From the study tour to Germany with my Core Course to finding a new and exciting spot in Denmark, I am beyond ready to experience everything that Denmark has to offer!

 -        Jake

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Pre-Departure Thoughts & Feelings

  It's the day before I leave, I am beyond excited for my stay in what I have been told to be "The Happiest Place On Earth." However, my attention is stripped from daydreaming about Danish foods and sites to focus on my packing. My clothes and toilet trees sprawled across my room like a tornado just came through. I am on my fifth packing attempt. You may be asking where did he go wrong? Like most men, I usually wear about the same ten outfits; occasionally I will shake it up. On top of the clothes fitting into my suitcase, I have to smuggle in enough cleaning products to last four months and a camera. There is also some different shoes and two coats that I need to jam in between the layers of wrinkled garments. I wasn't expecting to have to take two suitcases, but it's starting look that way. 

   As I start on my sixth attempt, with two suitcases now, I look up in my frustration to catch a glimpse on the TV of Dewitt trying to move Micheal Scott's money belt up to "right underneath the breastplate." I had turned The Office, an American TV show, on for background noise earlier and had gotten too distracted by luggage until now. For those not familiar with The Office, this episode entails Micheal, a regional manager of a paper company in America, going to Canada to make a big sale. While I don't think my trip will be as melancholy and awfully hilarious as Micheal's, I am jealous of his one empty suitcase he is taking for "souvenirs." I am sure I will have my fair share of goodies to bring back to America when I am done in Denmark. How I will fit them in my suitcases is beyond me. That's a problem for future Jake to figure out. 

   I am starting to get excited as I shove each puzzle piece together in my suitcase. I begin to think of all the exciting things I am about to be thrown into like getting the chance to do a homestay with my lovely hostess Dorthe in Ølstykke. After watching too many crime shows and horror movies, I was a little nervous about living with a family for a semester. However, I knew I had made the right decision in doing a homestay when I received an extremely delightful email. Knowing that I have a family for support in the next four months sets a lot my worries about going abroad to ease. There cute Norwegian Elk Hound and Dorthe’s ten-year-old daughter who bakes a lot are just the cherry on top of this perfect homestay sundae.    My two suitcases are coming along. I watched about seven youtube videos on the art of packing, so I am pretty much a professional now. As I shove that final sweatshirt into my suitcase I am overwhelmed with relief, but I know I still need to weight them. I grab our electric scale from the bathroom and find that both bags only weight about 37 pounds each (my limit was 50 pounds). As soon as I plop down onto my bed to catch my breath, a shrill ringing noise fills the room. It sounds like someone stepped on a cat mixed with a broken fire alarm. I lean up to see where the noise is coming, but my fear turns into disappointment as I find it coming from the suitcase. I realize at that moment that one of my Aunt’s security gifts she bought me for my trip went off. My family was anxious about me traveling, so they got me ever sort of protective parasol of gear and gadgets imaginable. All to defend against pickpocketers, thefts, murders, goblins, Vikings, and whatever else they have in Denmark that could harm me. The item that is screaming like a thousand harpies is a doorstop that when pressed down gives a shrieking alarm off. After digging all my clothes out, I find it at the very bottom between my stab proof backpack and a stab proof fanny pack. I disable it and make sure the batteries are nowhere near this gadget.

 Here's to the seventh attempt at a perfect packed suitcase.

- Jake