My Motivation To Pursue A Medical Degree
The idea that there is no physical or intellectual limit to what one can achieve in medicine is what originally sparked an interest in me. The idea that medicine can make a difference in the lives of people, then further fueled that spark. I know medicine demands perseverance, determination and hard work. I have seen that it requires exceptional precision, wholehearted compassion and often involves battling death. But I am convinced more than ever, that I want to be a doctor. And I am ready to turn this dream, this idea, into a reality.
Reading articles about cancer research and medical resolutions for overcoming challenges facing our communities excites me. I love learning about cellular processes and how the human body works. After dissecting a cow’s heart the complexity of this vital organ amazed me. Then a few months ago, whilst shadowing at the Red Cross Hospital in South Africa, I observed a three-hour-long coronary bypass surgery on a three-week-old baby. I marvelled at the diligence and dedication displayed by the medical staff as they skillfully cut and stitched together the blood vessels. The operation was a success and I was excited that this baby girl was gifted the opportunity to live.
When working at an old age home and hospice in South Africa, I enjoyed chatting with the patients or simply holding their hand or sitting by their bed. It was more than just feeding or bathing them because as they sat alone in their rooms, I wanted them to feel valued and loved. Volunteering as a conversational English teacher for two Turkish middle-school classes showed me the significance of connecting on a personal level with the students, and not simply teaching the linguistic principles. I enjoyed getting to know them, their characters and personalities, throughout the process. And after a few weeks, most of the students could proudly engage in an English conversation, where they had only known a few English words before. Additionally, after taking two photography courses, I have strived to create captivating portraits of families and children in my community that display technical excellence as well as reflect their individuality.
Studying in the UK would give me the opportunity to learn at the highest academic level and at the cutting edge of medical research. I don’t just want to have the idea of studying medicine or the idea of one day, perhaps becoming a doctor. I want to pursue a medical degree so that as a doctor, I can research cures for cancer, carry out life-changing operations and comfort the hurting. So that at the end of the day, I can look back and see that it was more than just an idea.
