They say traveling can help you find what you’re passionate about. In Marta’s case, traveling for her Chicago away rotation helped her shed her doubt and re-discover her dreams of becoming a pediatrician. Sometimes you have to take a chance and jump on that plane.

Read the story of Marta’s clinical experience, both in and outside the clinic.

A Snowy Chicago Away Rotation

I have always been sure I want to be a pediatrician. Ever since I started medical school, I always knew what I wanted and planned my life around it. Then COVID-19 happened. Spending the last 2 years in between online classes and zero patient exposure made me question absolutely everything.

Am I good enough? Do I have what it takes?

When I got the opportunity of starting this rotation, I was hesitant, doubtful, and scared because I really didn’t know what to expect. I’m not the one who usually takes chances, but something told me this was the right choice. I went for it.

My worriers were completely wrong. This has been by far one of the best experiences of my life. I have not only met amazing doctors and other students that I am lucky enough to call friends now, but I also got to treat hundreds of different patients and cases, do grand rounds, note-taking, treat COVID cases, experience telemedicine…the list could go on and on. All of it made me fall in love with medicine and pediatrics once again.

What made the experience even more fulfilling was the opportunity to know new places. I had never been to Chicago before and was the first time I was traveling by myself for such a long period of time. I was scared and cold. My bags were lost in the middle of a snow storm, and I missed one connecting flight. That didn’t stop me to go and see amazing places like the bean (so pretty!!), Lake Michigan (completely frozen), a Broadway show (Oklahoma!!) and play in the snow (special thanks to my friends for throwing snow at me and starting the snow fight). I will never forget anything and I can’t wait to come back in the future.

Thankful is an understatement, but I will always be grateful for the patience and love everyone showed me in Chicago. A bit of my heart will always stay in that office, and the only way to get it back is to finally (and now being completely certain) fulfill my dreams of becoming an amazing pediatrician.

And all because I took a chance ☺️