‘Learn To Trust the Journey, Even When You Do Not Understand It’

This quote resonated with me deeply as I embarked on a life-changing journey from India to the Philippines to pursue my medical education. Transitioning to a new country is an experience filled with anticipation, excitement, and its fair share of challenges. Here’s my story of adapting, learning, and thriving as a medical student at Davao Medical School Foundation.

Moving from India to the Philippines was a leap into the unknown. Davao is the safest place and an English-speaking country, and the weather is just as similar to that of India, is all the info I got. However, the warmth of the Filipino people and their hospitality and kindness made the adjustment smoother. We came here three months before starting our course just to get used to the new environment, adapting to this place was so much easier. I’ve also learnt to navigate the local dialect, Bisaya. Over time, Davao has transitioned from a temporary residence to a second home.

The decision to study in the Philippines stemmed from a combination of factors. Total expenses seemed to be affordable, and the Davao Medical School Foundation was an obvious choice if you are opting for the Philippines as your country of preference. It is a globally recognised medical curriculum, which is very much accepted by the National Medical Council of India.

Davao Medical School Foundation stood out for its advanced facilities, experienced faculty, and reputation for nurturing competent healthcare professionals. DMSF now holds the name for its local students acing the Physician Licensure Exam (PLE) with Top Ranks and its international students acing the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE) in India with Top 5 All India Ranks, which now I feel proud to be studying here.

Davao City, my home for the past 5 years, I am graduating in a few days, and I will be leaving this place, which makes me so emotional to leave a place that holds so many memories. I am currently staying in Mineral Village, Davao City, in an apartment that is close to my college, which is within a walkable distance, and also nearer to the hospital, where I’ll be posted on duty so that I can be on time, surrounded by Indian restaurants which are very accessible to food. I’ve grown fond of beaches here, bustling night markets, and good restaurants of Indian and Arabic cuisine, which we look forward to as our weekend getaways, spending quality time with our friends, and also making memories outside of academics.

My university colleagues and classmates have been truly welcoming. Although we are coming from different parts of India and even from different countries. Our cultural differences have been bridged by mutual respect and a shared ambition to excel as future doctors. All the school activities include group discussions, collaborative projects, assignments, and PowerPoint presentations, notably the extracurricular activities during our International Student’s Day (ISD) and intramurals (inter-departmental tournaments). We stayed as a team and won many competitions, through which we forged connections and made friendships that uplifted each other in every area. Now together we graduate and part our ways. ONE TEAM, ONE DREAM is our batch motto.

Our university emphasises practical learning and critical thinking; the interactive teaching methods and case-based learning, simulations, and OSCEs have significantly enhanced my clinical knowledge. The professors are very approachable, and I am truly grateful for the effort and time that they invested in our learning and helped us understand complex topics and concepts and helped in developing our practical skills that are required to be a medical professional. 

Homesickness has always been there, especially during festivals and family occasions. But we have our ways of coping. Staying connected with family, friends, and loved ones through video calls, indulge in Indian cuisine at local restaurants, and our ability to celebrate Indian movie releases here in languages such as Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi and celebrate cultural events notably Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, and Pongal with fellow Indian students the same way we do in India makes it feel more like home.

Living abroad comes with its share of challenges, but in our case, everything was smooth and taken care of. I was initially accommodated in a dorm under DMEMS, which was close to the university. We were served the best-tasting Indian food at our dorm, and we got a lot of Indian restaurants that we adapted to soon. As a student, managing finances is critical. I’ve learnt to strike a balance by budgeting wisely and prioritising necessities, which helped me maintain a comfortable lifestyle. At the same time, I ensure that I allocate resources for occasional leisure activities such as cinema and fitness.

The Philippines has not only been a place of academic pursuit but also a canvas of life lessons that I’ll cherish forever. As I near the completion of my medical degree, I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences that have shaped me. To all aspiring students considering a similar path, I say this: embrace the journey with an open mind and a resilient heart. The challenges you face will be stepping stones to the growth you’ve always envisioned.

The author is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine from the Davao Medical School Foundation, Philippines.