for weeks, i have been complaining and procrastinating about the preparations i had to (and continue to have to) make to get ready to leave the country. i am starting medical school in january 2010 at a little school called St. George's University. the main campus is based in grenada, west indies, but i have been accepted into their "international program." so for me, the first year takes place in newcastle upon tyne, UK, the second in grenada, and the third and fourth back stateside. i have been complaining about my preparations, but i have no right to.
i watched a documentary last night called "Living in Emergency" about the organization i strive to work for one day, medecins sans frontiers (MSF) or doctor's without borders. i called the film inspiring, but in a very somber way. the conditions were harsh and near unbearable for some of the staff. practicing medicine in the middle of a war zone is something i want to do one day. maybe you think i'm crazy. maybe i am.
after the film, there was a live panel discussion. one of the panelists, a journalist who has seen MSF operate in many countries and who has been to many war zones, said he hoped the film inspired those 24 year old doctors to join msf. mission accomplished. he also said he hoped the film would enlighten the general population about what is going on in the rest of the world. msf has been in darfur for 30 years, because the conflict there has been going on for that long. there is a war in the drc that has claimed millions, millions, of lives. sri lanka, pakistan, afghanistan, and somalia are a few of the places msf workers can be found. these people live in a war zone. life there is simply unimaginable for most people, including myself. this film was a call to arms, and i only hope i get the chance to answer that call one day soon.
