Three years ago, I made the decision to pack up and move across the world to chase my life-long dream to become a veterinarian. The truth is – I was scared! I was nervous about finding a new home, making new friends, maintaining relationships long-distance with my friends, adjusting to a new country (would I be able to understand the accent?), and handling the stress of a rigorous program. Most of all, however, I was excited. After completing my undergraduate degree and taking a year break from school, I was ready for a new adventure. I knew that if I didn’t take up this once in a lifetime opportunity, I would hold it over myself forever.
Jump ahead three years later, and I’ve overcome those obstacles and fears. I left home, but made a new one in Edinburgh. I left my family in Canada, but found a new family in the friends I’ve made in Scotland. I fell out of touch with some friends, but built an even stronger bond with the people who are in my life by maintaining friendships with the test of distance. I’ve stressed over school, but am entering my final year and am proud of the work I have dedicated to my studies to get to this point. Most importantly, I CAN understand the Scottish accent, and have even picked it up a wee bit (you see?).
Three years later, I have new obstacles to face. I’m nervous about excelling as a final year student, the stress that will come with final year rotations, and the ongoing pandemic that we are all facing. However, I know from my previous experiences that these obstacles will be overcome too. I also realize that I was not alone in all of these feelings. After socializing with others in my program, I learned that we all shared similar fears, and we all overcame our own obstacles.
All this to say, there will always be a hurdle to face in veterinary school that seems scary and hard to overcome, but it’s important to remember that you will. Happy summer to the students who are finishing their semester, and congratulations to my fellow final years on the start of this new chapter!
