By: Sarah Bueno Motter
As an international medical student, doing elective rotations in the US brings us many challenges, but this experience also can open unexpected doors.
I would like to talk about the good people we meet on this path. Seeing how people can help without knowing you well is very inspirational; they give us their best, taking our word as proof of commitment. The beauty is recognizing those people in your path and allowing them to help you. First, you must put yourself in their view and try connecting. Set up meetings, ask for conversations, ask questions, share your goals, and ask advice from the people you work with. We often focus on meetings with the PDs, for example, but we must remember the ones we are with daily.
Ask your residents for feedback, and connect with them and other medical students. The medical staff, nurses, and surgical technicians: You will be a better student if you understand everyone’s role in the US system. You can share your vulnerabilities, and you will find that everyone is struggling with similar challenges at the end of the day. And, with that, we discover the relief that we are not alone. As Brené Brown reminds us, vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a display of courage.
Regarding the challenges, you must know that not everyone will be available to listen to you when you open up. And the negatives that we hear in this path can never be seen as personal. Those are only “nos”, and to see the opened doors, we must pass the fear of rejection. There are days that we take this “no” to our home, and we have dinner with these thoughts and sleep on, but life’s generosity reveals the need to seek positive signs. Perhaps a patient will tell you that you are in the right way, just saying, “Keep up with that smile; that is what we need the most.”
Rotations in another country are about living the bad and the good; the key is retaining the good. One morning might be difficult, but an unexpected gift from life can brighten the afternoon.
Sarah Bueno Motter is a Brazilian medical doctor who graduated in February 2024. In 2023, during medical school, she completed elective rotations at hospitals in the United States in breast surgery and acute care and trauma surgery. This experience profoundly marked her training. Sarah is one of the founders of the AWS Chapter at her university in Brazil (UFCSPA). She has an interest in research in the areas of surgical oncology, gender equality in surgery, and global surgery.
As an international medical student, surgical rotations present a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and broaden clinical skills in diverse healthcare settings. These rotations enhance your understanding of global medical practices, offer exposure to various surgical techniques, and foster cultural competence. To effectively convey your experiences and learnings, consider using professional services like https://writepaper.com/do-my-powerpoint-presentation for creating impactful PowerPoint presentations. Their expertise can help you present your insights clearly and professionally.