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<div class="text-justify">Greetings friends of the @WEEKEND-EXPERIENCES community.</div>

<div class="text-justify">I've been eagerly looking forward to participating in the @galenkp initiative for weeks, but unfortunately, my schedule never seemed to align with the event until today. I'm thrilled about all the exciting topics that will be discussed, but there's one in particular that has piqued my interest and I'm really looking forward to delving into it.</div>




***If you choose to study one single thing, what is it and why?***


<div class="text-justify">I always thought that if I started a blog, this topic would be one of the first posts I'd write about because I can't imagine myself studying anything else these days... </div>

<div class="text-justify">Let me give you some context first. I'm a medical student in Cuba, which is nothing out of the ordinary in the land of doctors. But for me, studying medicine has a very special meaning because I'm going to be the first doctor in my family, which is uncommon in my country. </div>

<div class="text-justify">But why study the same thing as thousands of other people and just become another one of them? Well, my dear reader, the first time I fell in love with medicine was through a negative experience. </div>

<div class="text-justify">When I was just 16 years old, my father suffered a stroke and had to be quickly transferred to a hospital. Before I was allowed to see my father, a doctor attended to me who didn't stand out for his looks, but for the way he explained things. The doctor detailed to my mother and me everything that had happened and could happen in such a way that even a child could understand it. That's how we knew what we were facing. </div>

<div class="text-justify">Time passed, and my father was hospitalized for almost a month until he finished his recovery (which fortunately went very well). During that time, I became enamored with medicine. That doctor not only saved my father's life, but for a month, he explained every detail and procedure of what had happened to my father as if he were my teacher, without me even asking him. It made me realize that medicine wasn't just about studying immense books and curing patients, but there was something more profound to the process. </div>

<div class="text-justify">Time kept passing, and my father was making a good recovery. Of course, I accompanied him to every appointment to soak up more of the doctor's knowledge. Two years later, it was time to decide which university I would attend. In Cuba, universities are free, and admission is based on a ranking system that considers your academic record. </div>

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![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmY2RV7jUwEmT1qSyYkNSkRgxpndJ267Pm1dcGpmRtQsLM/img_20230520_154508.jpg)
<sub>My mess</sub>
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<div class="text-justify">In my case, I only applied for medicine (you can apply for up to 10 options, and then you will be admitted to the one that corresponds to your ranking). Many people, upon hearing of my decision, called me crazy and said that I wouldn't be able to handle the pressure, that I hadn't made the right choice. A few others praised me for my confidence. However, I didn't care. All I wanted was to use my stethoscope and heal patients... and so I did. </div>





<div class="text-justify">Due to my academic record, I was one of the first to be admitted to medicine. That day, my mom cried tears of happiness like a little girl (she always wanted to see me in a white coat). My father, despite what you might think, was surprised because he always thought I would become an engineer (even I thought that was my path). I'll never forget their reactions - they were like two sides of a coin.</div>

<div class="text-justify">Then came the first day of university - an unforgettable experience for every student, filled with nerves, insecurities, and high expectations. As time went by, I experienced both ups and downs, learning more with each passing day and overcoming a few tough moments. </div>

<div class="text-justify">Every semester that went by served as a reminder of what I had achieved and the progress I had made. It made me happy to study what I loved, be close to my family, and receive good grades and praise from my professors. </div>

<div class="text-justify">Now, with just two years left to complete my university degree, I am certain that I made the right choice. I often wonder what those who were negative about my decision would say now. </div>

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![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmW5oFjj215aPeq8bkT97Du4BRSwoeGWotssZ9ydarohsH/img_20230427_wa0054.jpg)
<sub>My preparing for a surgery</sub>
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<div class="text-justify">Yes, it's a tough career that demands long hours without sleep, constantly being on the go, and sacrificing personal time for the benefit of others. It can be challenging, which is why having a genuine passion for it is crucial; otherwise, you'll feel like you're living in hell. However, amidst the difficulties, you discover that there's no better gesture of gratitude than the smile of a recovered patient or the thanks of a grateful family member. It touches your soul and makes it all worthwhile. </div>

<div class="text-justify">And, of course, there's always the advantage of knowing how to react in a situation like the one I experienced at the age of 16, which marked me for life. Meanwhile, I'll continue studying rare pathologies and medications with the goal of saving as many patients as possible. Above all, I want my family to feel proud to call me a doctor.</div>

<div class="text-justify">When I was 18, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and study one of the toughest and most demanding careers in the world. I have no regrets; on the contrary, I like it more and more every day. This attitude has led me to meet excellent doctors who are now my mentors (the doctor who treated my father later became one of my best professors). Thanks to them, I can say that I am becoming a better person and a better doctor every day. </div>

<div class="text-justify">If you're reading this and feeling insecure about choosing your future or making a decision, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. And, most importantly, don't be swayed by the opinions of others who don't know what's best for your life. As Nike says, "Just Do It". </div>

I hope you enjoyed this quick post. 
See you next time! 

>All the photos are from my personal archive

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![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmWsGr5giDN7Zc2cZHxZ8zJ2SjVWgD3WWXsRBKcj3tZdq3/the_pilot_eng_spa_.png)