Four weeks later.

Notes from SIWES.

Hi, my love! How are you?

Well... I'm kind of angry.😡

I've been trying to stay consistent for a while now, but I disappeared yesterday and last week, and nobody asked where I went. 😂😡

But it's fine, I guess. Everybody's busy, so I get it. I hope you're doing okay, though. If you're also on IT like me, I hope it's going well. Anyway, that's the purpose of today's letter. I have a lot to say, but I won't be able to tell the full gist until I leave this place, you know, to avoid trouble. You honestly never know what might happen. So, for now, here's the version I can tell.

So if you like gossip, enjoy reading this i guess?

This is my second SIWES as a pharmacy student. If you're familiar with the pharmacy programme, you already know how it works: the first IT is usually in a community pharmacy, the second is in a hospital or manufacturing setting, and then we move on to our clinical postings., if you're offering a Pharm. D. This one has been a roller coaster of emotions. I keep comparing it to last year's experience, and I think it's mainly because last year I had my friends with me. I wasn't alone. This time, I'm basically by myself. I wasn't supposed to be, but long story short, a lot happened, and I ended up here alone. That's a story for another day. But can I just say that ten-year-old me would never have believed I'd be able to stay in a house by myself for weeks? There was even one night when my housemate didn't come home. I had to sleep alone... and there was no light. No electricity. Nothing. Ten-year-old Faith would have cried herself to sleep. But I did it, and I think that just shows me how much I've grown. Another thing this experience has taught me is how underdeveloped my social skills actually are. I've always known they weren't great; I just didn't know they were this bad. What do you mean I've been living in the same house with someone for four weeks and I don't know their name? I only realized that yesterday. Four whole weeks. I don't know this person's name. To be fair, I don't even know if they know mine, so maybe we're even. Oh wait, they do oh.

Speaking of my housemate, there have been... quite a few moments. My friends on Snapchat can testify to how much I've complained about this person, and how they keep testing my patience. Looking back, though, I realized something about myself. Maybe a few years ago, I would have reacted differently. Maybe I would have said something I shouldn't have. But now, every time something happens, I just tell myself, "It's only a matter of weeks. It'll soon be over." And somehow, that's enough to calm me down. My family members know how particular I am. Sharing a space is one thing, but sharing cutlery with a stranger? That's not exactly my idea of fun. So this experience has definitely stretched me in ways I didn't expect. As a matter of fact, while I was writing this, this person used my insecticide(without my permission, by the way) and the thing is disturbing my breathing in my room.

As for the work itself, I think I mentioned in one of my previous letters how fascinated I was by all the machines. Well... that fascination has officially disappeared. Now it's just work. Let's not even talk about the fact that I'm doing 8-6 from Monday to Friday, when my mates are just going thrice in a day. As if that wasn't even enough, last week, my phone got seized outside the production unit. Yess, you read that right.

Before you judge me, let me explain. In almost every pharmaceutical industry, phones aren't allowed in production, and I know that. My friends doing SIWES elsewhere have the same rule. Officially, you're not supposed to take your phone in. Unofficially... we're Nigerians. Most people still carry theirs because they need somewhere to charge them, and the electricity situation where I'm staying hasn't exactly been encouraging. So that day, I stepped outside with my phone, and while I was going back in, one of the supervisors saw it and collected it. Fair enough. I even went to his office to plead with him, and he told me to come back at closing time. I accepted my fate. Closing time came... and the man had gone to watch football. And I had to wait almost two hours to get my phone back. Like this people actually expected that I actually go home without phone. I cried home that evening. I wish I were joking. That wasn't even the only incident that's happened here. There have been several moments that have made me realize that a lot of older Nigerians don't always leave room for nuance. Rules are important, yes, but sometimes I genuinely wonder if people stop to think about why a rule exists before enforcing it. I'll save that conversation for another day, though.

Overall, it's been challenging, funny, frustrating, and surprisingly educational. I'm genuinely learning. I've met people who actually want to teach me, and I'm trying not to limit myself to only what they think I should know. I'm asking questions, observing everything, and soaking up as much as I can. I don tire sha. And I think my favourite part of all this is knowing that I won't have to do this again. Yes, i'll graduate, look for a job, and life will come with its own new challenges, but at least, I still have two more years before that time comes.

Me from Monday to Friday.

One last thing before I go. I went to church today, and they sang my favourite hymn. I don't know what it is about that hymn, but the moment it started, I couldn't stop smiling. It felt so comforting, like God gently reminding me that He's been here through every single part of this journey. I think I'm always gushing about God and His faithfulness because I genuinely can't help it. Looking back at the loneliness I have had to feel this period, the frustrating moments, the little victories, the laughter, and even the days I just wanted this whole experience to be over, all I can see is His faithfulness. He has been so kind to me. Hearing that hymn today reminded me that this season will pass, just like every other season has, and that I have never really been walking through it alone. And honestly? That made me happier than I can explain. Anyway, that's all from me today. Thank you for reading my little ramblings. I'll see you in the next letter.

Byee!❤️