Why I Want To Attend University

At the age of 27 I know that I will be older than most applicants and I am proud of this as it reflects my journey. My transition from high school to university was challenging as I did not have a set "plan" for the rest of my life; the decision to enroll in biological sciences was simply made due to my interest in biology. At this stage in my education, I lacked direction; it is this, I fear, that led me to assume the dispassionate attitude with which I completed my first few years. Regrettably, I did not take my academic career as seriously as I should have and my first few years of undergraduate university were done rather nonchalantly. Fortunately, this all changed after a family vacation to Morocco. As both of my parents were born and …show more content…
During my previous visits I was oblivious to the sickness and poverty that affected a large portion of the country 's population. As an adult, however, it became difficult to ignore the lack of healthcare that was so far from "the norm" in Canada, where healthcare is almost regarded as a right. Walking down the streets it was not uncommon to see many homeless individuals overcome with illness and disease. Although much effort has been put forward in recent years towards reparation of the healthcare system in Morocco, there is still much to be done; even the world 's most developed nations are not devoid of similar issues. These concerns opened my eyes to the opportunity I have to serve my community in a meaningful and rewarding way. After much thought I was stricken with an idea that would change my course of action for the rest of my life - I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. It was not a decision that was made overnight; rather, months of consideration allowed me to come to the firm conclusion that I belonged in the field of …show more content…
My extracurricular activities extended off campus as I began to volunteer at Windsor Regional Hospital. This is where I began shadowing Dr. Peer, a gastroenterologist. The time I spent with Dr. Peer was invaluable, from watching him perform procedures to seeing his interactions with patients. One case in particular always comes to mind; that of an elderly woman diagnosed with colon cancer who turned down treatment due to increased complications with surgery. It was both heartbreaking and inspiring to see the amount of courage this woman displayed on a daily basis; some days it was hard to believe she was terminally ill. Whenever we checked up on her, she would be in such good spirits, cracking jokes and telling stories.While watching Dr.Peer, I realized that this is the type of physician I want to be. The kind who listens wholeheartedly, interacts, and is compassionate towards their patients. I believe this is a vital part of a patient 's treatment. Increased communication with a patient can tell a physician much more than a chart - it allows for a deeper connection, which is beneficial to the physician and the patient 's psychological and emotional state during