Commonly Asked Questions and Some Answers

As I have prepared to leave the U.S., I have begun to truly understand how many people in my life have a lot of questions about what the next chapter will look like for me. (Which is awesome, I love asking questions, so I get it!) Sometimes I have answers that satisfy them, other times I am reminded just how little I know! So I am going to share some of the common questions I have attempted to answer in the past couple of months. If you have questions that I fail to answer, please ask! I would be HONORED.

1. When do classes start?

August 1st! (a very easy straightforward answer!)

2. How long will you be there?

It is a 4-year medical program! The first year will primarily be spent in the classroom

broadening our understanding of science, medicine, and what it means to be a doctor! The

second year will focus on more specific courses about human anatomy and physiology. Then

the third year will allow us to do clerkships where we can explore and observe different

specialties. Finally, the 4th year will include elective, some of which could be in the U.S., and

Global and Medical Clerkship!

3. What will you be at the end of the 4 years?

If I graduate and pass all the required exams, I should have my M.D.!! After the four years,

hopefully we will all have been matched to a residency program. This can be completed in the

U.S., Israel, Canada, and maybe other places? (I'm not entirely sure, but if I make it to that

point, I will update you in 4 years ;)

4. When will you be back?

Great question! My plan is to for sure come home during the summer after the first year. If

it works out, I would love to come home for Christmas, but it's hard to tell if that will be

possible, especially with everchanging COVID guidelines and regulations.

5. Where will you be living?

This requires a bit of a long answer. When I arrive (tomorrow!!!) I will head straight to

the required quarantine/isolation based on Israeli guidelines. This is at a preselected location

with the university. I will be able to leave for a serological test and pending my results, I will be

allowed to leave isolation!! Then I will move into the dorms, where I will stay until September

1st! I found 3 great gals who will be in my class at MSIH that I will be living with in an

apartment! Our lease begins September 1st! I'm very excited to live with them!

6. What is the time difference?

Although I know you could all look this up easily, I will share it just in case you are feeling lazy.

Israel is 8 hours ahead of the Giles Farm.

7. How will you get around?

I am planning to use the two feet God gave me, possibly buy a used/inexpensive bicycle, and

use public transportation for longer distances! This will definitely be a learning experience for

me and honestly, I'm excited!

8. How is your family doing with this?

I know they are proud of me, and also a little sad currently. I, on the other hand am very sad

to leave them and I hope they (and any other humans that want to!!) will visit often and call

often!!!!! But if you want to truly want to know how they are, you will just have to ask them

yourself because I can't speak for them and I suspect they are trying to put on a confident

front for me. I love them so freaking much.

9. What is the climate like?

First it is important to note Be'er Sheva is very close to the desert of the Negev. The

highs are around 90 degrees F in the summer and temperatures get down to 40 degrees F

in the winter. Of course, I haven't experienced it yet, so I will update you once I have

gathered more data personally (:

10. What did you bring with you?

Probably too much stuff if I'm being honest... I have 2 checked bags, a carry-on, and a

personal item (which happens to be another backpack). I have clothes of all types- formal,

casual, dresses, jeans, shorts, t-shirts... oh and the MOST FUN pair of pants from Kat

Escobar (photos to come). I packed books, my bible, soaps, a blanket, my camera

equipment, laptop, pencils, shoes, special photos and notes from friends, and probably a

bunch of other stuff that I can't remember right now, but that should give you a good idea. I

wanted to bring a deflated basketball, but it just wouldn't fit... Hopefully they are reasonably

priced in Be'er Sheva!

These are the most common questions that are coming to my mind as I’m about to finish my layover in Charlotte. If you have more, please ask, truly!!