Last Day of Work - for a while

I am leaving for Nepal on Sunday.  I can't believe it is already here!  It came up so fast!  I still have a lot to do but I am almost ready.  The packing is what always gets me...

I had a great discussion today with a colleague about international medical education and the impact that "Westernization" of medicine is having on "non-Western" countries.  It's such a fascinating topic.  He pointed out that as I think about and adapt my presentations and lectures to be culturally sensitive for the Nepali students, I end up altering and almost misrepresenting what the "inner circle" of Western medicine really looks like.  It's so true.  Of course I will present something at least slightly different to students in Nepal than what I would present to students at UBC and in Canada.  Is that a good thing or a bad thing?  How will this affect their identity formation as medical professionals?  Do we want them to become similar to Western medical professionals?  What do I know about the profession of medicine in Nepal?  What does it mean for the Nepali students to develop an identity as a medical professional when their mentors and teachers just drop in and then leave?  Is it our goal to Westernize medicine in Nepal?
I am very interested to read the literature about this and to read about what the impact has been on other countries - like China.
Well, I hope you will follow me as I start my journey on Sunday.  It will be a long day with lots of flights so you might hear from me again before I arrive in Kathmandu.  Victoria - Vancouver - Los Angeles - Bangkok - Kathmandu!