savoy096

With classes done and exams in full swing, we have an opportunity to reflect on what has happened over the past 5 or so months. We have learned about the important enzymes that allow us to metabolize nutrients and sustain life, the battle that occurs inside us every time we are invaded by foreign pathogens, the intricate design of cells in different parts of the body, the bacteria we should love and hate, the true meaning of statistical significance, and ethical dilemmas physicians face on a daily basis. It has become pretty apparent to me that the fact humans function so well on a daily basis is a miracle. While it’s crazy to think we have learned all this in one semester, I knew I would be studying these subjects. This is medical school after all. I knew we were complicated creatures, but I have witnessed another level of our awesomeness these past few weeks. Finals are not the most relaxed time for students. The elevated cortisol levels tend to bring out the worst in people. However...

Studying medicine abroad is exciting! There are always new places to explore, people to meet, languages to learn, cultural norms to adapt to, and things to discover. The opportunities to procrastinate studying for biochemistry or immunology are abundant. However, with the ending of classes and beginning of exams, there has been a noticeable shift in how people are allocating their time. Priorities are shifting as that list of important information to review continues to grow. While having fun and taking “mini-vacations” are important stress relievers, it is easy to lose sight of that when you are in the thick of studying. It is easy to isolate yourself in a study fortress and spend your time surrounded by books and watching videos on metabolic processes. It is easy to forget to be a human and spend time with friends and talk to family. I was reminded of this when my Israeli neighbor wished me a Happy Thanksgiving. He was the last person I expected to hear those words from, but he force...

On November 26th, 2015, several medical students from around the world celebrated Thanksgiving dinner in the Middle East. In Beer Sheva, Israel to to be exact.  I am pointing this out because it is notable in many respects. First off, the very fact that a group of people who regularly spend upwards of eight hours a day together would want to spend their few off hours together is quite amazing. Secondly, in a little city, in one of the smallest countries in the Middle East, students from all over the world sat together and had a meal because there was a lot to be thankful for. We had just taken our last microbiology quiz of the semester. We were a few days away from our very last class of our first semester of medical school. We had survived. We had somehow managed to move to a brand new country, learn a brand new language and start medical school, all in one fell swoop. Together we ate delicious food and we made nerdy jokes about mycobacteria and we toasted to a circle of people wh...