The Journey to My Medical Degree: My Motivations and the Hard Truths I Faced.

 

We all dream of becoming something. For me, it was always a doctor. But what no one tells you is that the path to that dream is often paved with unexpected trials, silent struggles, and powerful lessons that shape you before arriving at the destination.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, back to 2019, when I was a medical laboratory student at the University of Nairobi. My darling mother—my most beloved and greatest motivation—invited me to attend a seminar on study opportunities abroad. I gladly tagged along, and lo and behold, approximately three months later, I had secured a visa to begin my medical journey. I was thrilled to finally pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a doctor.

That journey led me far from home, where I was fortunate to meet people who made the experience worthwhile—friends who quickly became family. They were my support system in a new world full of unfamiliar seasons, foods, and feelings. Looking back, it wasn’t the place itself that shaped me most—it was the people I met there.

Becoming a doctor had always been my dream. And yes, I was fulfilling my mother’s dream too. Growing up, my brother and one of my uncles—(it’s a Somali thing, we have huge families)—were often sick. I always imagined being the one to provide them with quality care, or even treat them myself someday.

Fast forward a few months, and I was experiencing all four seasons for the first time. My body had no idea what was happening. I could never get used to my hands freezing, and I constantly stuffed them in my pockets—gloves made me feel like a goalie.

Culture shocks hit me left, right, and center. People swimming in ice-cold water in the middle of winter, walking around without jackets, while I stood there freezing, my teeth trembling like a cartoon character. At first, I was excited to explore my new environment, but that excitement slowly gave way to homesickness. And, as a terrible cook at the time, I missed home food terribly.

Luckily, I had friends who could cook. If you could cook, you were the boss—the rest of us followed your lead.

I quickly realized how difficult it is to be thousands of miles away from home, trying to navigate both university life and adulthood. I vividly remember playing football with friends I’d known back in Kenya and reconnected with through a small diaspora community—no more than 30 people—who welcomed me early on. On that day, I wore a light football jersey in early November, in 2 or 3 degrees Celsius. About 10 minutes into the match, I started tasting blood in my mouth and felt a heaviness in my chest. I stepped off for a substitution and realized everyone else had extra layers—except me. I never made that mistake again.

Buying things from the local store was another challenge. My roommate and I, dressed in thick winter coats and balaclavas like ninjas, would walk to the nearest mini supermarket; in Ukrainian called a mahazin. When the cashier spoke in a language we didn’t understand yet, we’d gesture for a calculator just to communicate. For the most part, the locals minded their own business. But occasionally, we encountered the unpleasant reality of racism. A few would shout slurs at us—especially during football games or in public spaces—hoping to provoke or deter us. This was one of the biggest culture shocks I was unprepared for. Sure, we studied racism in high school literature, but experiencing it firsthand is something else entirely. I learnt to respond only when necessary and to smile in the face of adversity.

Life was decent. I was finally starting to get a grip on things. I felt I was growing into my role as a student and future doctor—until 2022 changed everything.

A war broke out, and everything turned upside down. In a matter of days, the lives of many international students, including mine, were thrown into uncertainty. The future we had mapped out became blurry. Overnight, we went from being international students....to international refugees. It redefined safety, purpose, and survival. That was the single biggest turning point in my life. I’ll share more about how everything unfolded in another post.

As my journey in medical school comes to a close, I’ve come to realize something profound: regardless of your profession—student, professor, engineer, doctor, teacher, or anything else—human life is sacred. To be a doctor is to understand that truth deeply. It’s not just about prestige or knowledge; it’s about compassion, empathy, and responsibility.

In one of my all-time favorite Marvel Studio movies—Avengers: Endgame, after his final sacrifice, Tony Stark  a.k.a Iron Man ( Robert Downey Jr.)  appears in a pre-recorded holographic message to his loved ones and says:

“Part of the journey is the end.”

That line now hits differently. As this chapter of my journey ends, I understand that every ending holds the seed of something new. Growth, purpose, and clarity often come not at the start—but at the end.

To my fellow medical students, future doctors, and even those just considering this path: let’s do our best to improve lives around us. Be kind—to your neighbor, your siblings, your parents, relatives, and strangers. Let’s also remember those facing hardship across the world—whether it’s war, illness, or natural disasters.

May Allah bless us all.

Looking forward to the next chapter. Peace.