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I started school back in September, and since then it has been a blast. One of the most amazing things that has happened this year has been meeting people who have done things that I want to do after I finish medicine. I have met project implementors, researchers, fellow physicians, and NGO workers all of whom have helped to change and make impacts in Low and Middle income countries across the globe.
It was such an inspirational start to the year and it helped me feel like I could accomplish all the things that I want to with my career later on in life! The class work was somewhat bland during the first term, as it was mostly a review of things that I had already covered in medical school, however there were some interesting things I learned regarding ethics, theories of change, and different types of social research (all of which were new and interesting for me).
This term has been much more stimulating in terms of course work, but has also been substantially busier. I am taking some very interesting classes such as: Designing Disease Control Programs in Developing Countries, Health Systems, Evaluations of Public Health Interventions, and Globalization and Health! All of these classes are extremely interesting and provide a lot of background and skills that will be helpful for my career, which makes me really excited to take all the courses, even if they are busy!
I've also gotten started on my summer research thesis which will be looking at Differences in Survival outcomes of patients with colon cancer in Texas based on race, gender, and socioeconomic status from 2001-2014, using data from one of the most renowned cancer surveillance databases in the world (CONCORD Program)! I'm really excited to get involved in some interesting research, especially looking at inequalities in cancer survival in Texas! I think this will be a good stepping stone into future research I can take part in during residency and help gear towards lower income countries as I get more experience and access to more data sets!
Last, but certainly not least, one of the best parts of this year has been being able to travel throughout Europe! So far, I have been able to visit 6 countries and trips planned to visit 5 or 6 more! During my October reading week I was able to take a trip to Norway and go explore the arctic circle and see the Northern lights! Then in November, I took trips to France, Belgium, and Spain with some friends who came to visit me from the US! During my Christmas Break I was able to explore Germany with a friend from University who is from Germany, and I was able to explore all the Christmas markets in a few different cities! Additionally, during my Christmas break I was able to participate in some rotary events with my local club and help raise funds for them! Most recently (last week), I went to Switzerland and Austria to go skiing in the Alps! It has been so amazing to be so close to all these different countries and cultures! Easily one of my favorite parts of this program has been making time to travel with the friends I've made while going to school here. It is an eye-opening experience and something I cannot put any value on, as it has been instrumental in helping shape who I am. I am so grateful to all the support from Rotary and am looking forward to coming back and sharing my experiences with everyone back in the States."
At the completion of Samee’s year abroad he will return to UTMB in Galveston to complete his final year of medical school during which he will apply for residency in Internal Medicine -Pediatrics combined specialty.
Samee is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Seabrook and in London by the R.C. of Bexley.
On behalf of the scholarship committee of Bill Haglund, Olivia Hernandez and myself. Bill Davis
I've also gotten started on my summer research thesis which will be looking at Differences in Survival outcomes of patients with colon cancer in Texas based on race, gender, and socioeconomic status from 2001-2014, using data from one of the most renowned cancer surveillance databases in the world (CONCORD Program)! I'm really excited to get involved in some interesting research, especially looking at inequalities in cancer survival in Texas! I think this will be a good stepping stone into future research I can take part in during residency and help gear towards lower income countries as I get more experience and access to more data sets!
Last, but certainly not least, one of the best parts of this year has been being able to travel throughout Europe! So far, I have been able to visit 6 countries and trips planned to visit 5 or 6 more! During my October reading week I was able to take a trip to Norway and go explore the arctic circle and see the Northern lights! Then in November, I took trips to France, Belgium, and Spain with some friends who came to visit me from the US! During my Christmas Break I was able to explore Germany with a friend from University who is from Germany, and I was able to explore all the Christmas markets in a few different cities! Additionally, during my Christmas break I was able to participate in some rotary events with my local club and help raise funds for them! Most recently (last week), I went to Switzerland and Austria to go skiing in the Alps! It has been so amazing to be so close to all these different countries and cultures! Easily one of my favorite parts of this program has been making time to travel with the friends I've made while going to school here. It is an eye-opening experience and something I cannot put any value on, as it has been instrumental in helping shape who I am. I am so grateful to all the support from Rotary and am looking forward to coming back and sharing my experiences with everyone back in the States."
At the completion of Samee’s year abroad he will return to UTMB in Galveston to complete his final year of medical school during which he will apply for residency in Internal Medicine -Pediatrics combined specialty.
Samee is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Seabrook and in London by the R.C. of Bexley.
On behalf of the scholarship committee of Bill Haglund, Olivia Hernandez and myself. Bill Davis