Having spent my childhood in South Africa I was exposed to hardships experienced by many people at an early age. Such hardships were largely of a financial nature but beyond this included deprivation of basic needs such as the need to healthcare and medication and other public services. This exposure has definitely played a pivotal role in shaping my life thus far and my ambitions for the future. I have learned in my life that many things cannot be expressed in words but only through relation of experience.
My decision to pursue a career in medicine has not been an easy one. Although I have always admired doctors and surgeons; my final decision and determination has matured in my mind and heart over the past few years.
The time I spent at the University of Lancaster was instrumental in my decision. My expanded knowledge in human biology, the biology of health and human disease, and biochemistry has had a strong influence. Further influence comes for the modules that particularly draw my interest i.e. immunology, cancer, pathobiology and medical genetics.
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This experience proved invaluable for me as I gained insight into the daily reality of a doctor. My experienced involved the observation of routine natal examinations as well as more severe cases of overactive thyroid glands and anemia. My key learning’s were witnessing the personal satisfaction the doctor received after successfully diagnosing and treating a patient and observing the high level of interpersonal skills required as a doctor. I also learned that children themselves participate in ethical decision making, and that I will need a firm foreground in ethical theory and an objective approach to its use. This learning’s have been central to my ambition of studying