The path leading me to this point in my career has not been easy. My goal at times seemed almost unattainable. My life has been a story of resilience, disappointments and hope. I grew up in Iran as a member of a religious minority. I was only five when I first said I wanted to be a doctor, and my passion for becoming a physician has not change ever since. I excelled at science in high school but I was not allowed to go to medical school, because the Iranian government had banned all higher education to the members of my faith. I could not let my dream evaporate in front of my very eyes. I was confronted with the choice of leaving my family behind to pursue my dream. Without any financial support, I left Iran at age nineteen. Leaving my home and family behind at a relatively young age and building a new life in a foreign country while learning a new language and culture was extremely challenging. Nevertheless, that was a price that I was willing to pay to reach my goal. This experience and the persecutions I faced in my homeland have instilled in me resilience, a strong work ethic and a desire to serve humanity.
My personal experiences and knowing what I wanted to do with my life gave me the strength to start my undergraduate and English studies shortly after my arrival to the USA. I volunteered in medical offices every chance I could get, along with supporting myself financially. After earning my bachelor degree at University of California Davis, I attended Ross School of Medicine in Dominica to pursue my dream. I graduated in 2009 and have been applying to residency programs cross the country without any success. I have been active to keep up with my skills and knowledge by research, volunteering and teaching.
I worked hard for my passion, I sacrifice visiting my loved ones only 4 times in 17 years, I waited so long for this passion that I lost my mother million miles away, I started from zero and earned medical degree to care and support the people of my country the United States of America and travel to under deserve area to offer help for free. And all I am left with is wasted best age of my life, $350,000 in student loan and income of 1/6th of that. In a country with shortage of primary care, the greatest country in the world the United States of America cannot afford wasting educated resources, physician like me who can be helpful to its growth and wellness.
SN