Over my head?

So I had my first day of immunology, or inmunologia, today. The 300-400 medical students and me (there wasn't a single additional caucasian in the bunch and I was acutely aware of my non-conformity) crowded into the anatomy dissection-observation hall to hear the basics of the schedule, etc. We were in the dissection area because the normal lecture hall was taken and this was the next largest available space. Normal classes will will contain 1/10 of the total class size and my schedule runs M, T, W 12:30-2:00pm.

I was able to follow the prof’s introductions well enough but during a lecture, when every bit of information could be on the test (and sometimes not in the book!), I am not sure if my Spanish will be up to the task. Sink or swim come tomorrow I guess!

I was talking with Manuel (Dr. Calvopina) today as we decapitated flies (only about 20,000 to go!) and found out that even though he is a MD/PhD specializing in tropical medicine with substantial research experience in various tropical diseases he only receives $300/month from the university! He informed me most other profs take second jobs, as the public university salary just doesn’t pay the bills. The cost of living is most certainly lower here but for a grown man with a family $300/month just doesn’t add up. Manuel explained to me it’s really too bad the pay is so low as this often leads to apathy on the part of prof’s and to most of the better ones jumping ship to the higher paying private universities. I’m really not sure why Manuel hasn’t left, I am certain he could, but I am grateful for the opportunity to work with him; he really is both an amazing researcher and human being.