Expect the Unexpected!

As this is my first entry, I would like to begin by introducing myself. My name is Sarah, and I am a second year Medical student at Université de Sherbrooke. I am currently a local officer of SCORA (Standing Committee on Reproductive Health including AIDS) on my campus. For the past 6 years, I have been a part of sexual health committees, because I believe it is an important subject that isn’t given enough attention.

I have been involved with IFMSA-Québec for almost two years now, and I must say, I feel very lucky to be a part of such a wonderful team, full of passionate students determined to make a difference in health care. The more I get involved with this federation, the more my eagerness to make a difference increases.

I am a person who likes to keep busy, sometimes too busy. I love travelling, learning about new cultures, languages, and of course, Zumba. I also love to listen to Spanish music, although I don’t speak the language, but I hope that one day I will learn it.

I believe it is important to travel in order to open our eyes to the different lifestyles, customs, and beliefs of people in other countries. As future doctors in Canada, a country known for its cultural diversity, we will surely have to face ethical and cultural dilemmas during our practice. This is why travelling and events like the Regional Meeting (RM) are essential for us to be more understanding and develop new perspectives in the medical field.

For me, travelling is like jumping into the unknown. You never know what to expect in a new city. You may meet new people and have the opportunity to learn and try new things. Maybe even learn a new language. Even simple conversations with people from different cultural backgrounds can be very enriching.

In my eyes, the RM 2014 is MUCH MUCH more than travelling to a new country. It is a rare learning experience in which medical students with similar interests and goals can communicate, compare and develop new ideas, in order to achieve a combined international goal of improving both global and local health. I am honoured to be a delegate for IFMSA-Québec for the RM2014, and I have high hopes to gain ideas and experiences to share with my colleagues upon my return to Quebec, and to improve our effectiveness in promoting awareness in the community.