From Nijmegen to the Caribbean and back: Kaylee Baan returns from her research adventure in St. Maarten

Hi all!

My name is Kaylee, and I am studying Biology and Medical Laboratory Research. For my innovative internship I participated in the RISE study under Josephine van de Maat and Lilly Verhagen’s supervision.

Researching Respiratory Infections in St. Maarten

My internship involves research on respiratory infections in children in St. Maarten. This research is a collaboration between the St. Maarten Medical Center in St. Maarten and the Radboudumc Amalia Children’s Hospital in Nijmegen. SMMC is the hospital on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of St. Maarten. It serves the residents of St. Maarten as well as the surrounding islands of Saba and St. Eustatius. Infections, particularly respiratory infections, are the leading cause of hospital visits and admissions for children in St. Maarten. However, there is limited knowledge about the epidemiology and optimal treatment of respiratory infections in St. Maarten. The aim of the RISE study is to gain a better understanding of the epidemiology, presentation, and treatment of respiratory infections in children in St. Maarten.

A Unique Experience Abroad

The first 4 weeks of this internship I went to Radboudumc to get the introduction of the study, learning how the process works and study literature for this project.

From March until July I could perform the study at Sint Maarten Medical Center! Which was a great experience! A new work experience, but also a new life adventure for me, on an island with different norms and values. At the beginning it was difficult to find a place between all the doctors and nurses. Luckily the nurses were lovely and after a few weeks I understood the way of working.

Balancing Challenges and Adventures in St. Maarten

With rotating specialists it took some time to find a way that worked for everybody and because of that it was a challenge for me to write new protocols for the future and for new students, but after some weeks I could rely on my own experience. While writing the protocols and expanding the datasets I could update them, based on my work experience there. After working hours, it was lovely to discover the island itself, do lots of swimming (there are beautiful beaches and clear blue waters) and of course some parties during the weekend! The island has enough lovely places to see, always nice weather, so my time of being there flew by.

I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I highly recommend studying abroad if you get the chance!

Sunny regards,

Kaylee Baan.