It is not the destination .. but the journey
Crawling through the Cu Chi tunnels of Vietnam, I feasted on the intricate details adorning my hidden surroundings. Plunging into the cold, deep ocean, I revelled in scuba diving near Havelock Island, Andaman. These breathtaking scenes opened my eyes to the vastness of experiences that are available in this world. I grew up in the same town, in the same house. So, every opportunity to immerse myself in other cultures, food, and even languages was something I treasured. Getting out of my comfort zone and learning about different cultures has become a never-ending pursuit. In a similar way, the breadth and diversity of medicine, a field with constant discovery, has given me newfound joy and enthusiasm.
My inspiration originates from my most fortunate gift, being born in a third-world country. From a young age, I visited rural areas to volunteer in health campaigns and comfort children in a dedicated immunization clinic. Experiencing what life is like for so many highlighted the harsh reality of the world we live in. I saw the crippling impact of disease from a first-hand perspective and gained insight into a doctor’s ability to counteract that.
In Chuck Palahniuk’s “Invisible Monsters,” he stated, “Our real discoveries come from chaos, from going to the place that looks wrong and stupid and foolish.” Nothing resonates more with me now. I intend to keep moving forward in my journey learning from every experience!
Thank you!