Global Health in Kosovo, Medical School, and more: Patrick’s Journey

Global Health Intern in Kosovo

In my Isla internship with a NGO in Kosovo, I focused on supporting maternal and child health. Through this opportunity, I was able to analyze the various factors that influenced the level of involvement by fathers in childrearing present in Prishtina, Kosovo. I did this through in-person interviews with fathers, mothers, and medical professionals. 

After my time in Kosovo, I returned to the United States to finish my last year of college at the University of Miami (UM) and begin my path to medical school. Much of my last year of college was spent studying for the MCAT, a test required to apply to medical school. In addition, I volunteered at a shelter for the houseless near my campus and held leadership positions in several UM organizations, one of which was Canes for Global Health,  where I served as cofounder and vice president. The work we did was designed to educate students of all majors about the field of global health and facilitate networking with global health organizations. 

After graduation, I did a gap year, the first half of which was spent filling out medical school applications and working as a scribe in the cardiology department at Holy Cross Medical Center. This was an amazing opportunity to learn medical terminology and immerse myself in a hospital environment. I also continued to serve at the same homeless shelter I volunteered at during my undergraduate years. 

I was accepted to Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM) and began planning my move to Washington, D.C. In the final three months before medical school, I stopped working and volunteering and traveled the world. I spent time in Spain, Peru and Greece where I saw amazing sights, met fascinating people, and ate delicious food. 

Looking back, I would recommend that everyone interested in applying to medical school take at least one gap year. It was nice to be able to have a break before starting down the four-year path of medical education. I have now been in medical school at HUCM for two months, and even though I’m spending much of every day studying, I absolutely love it. 

Though I understand that I will explore countless medical specialties, my current plan is to become a pediatrician. I am extremely grateful that Isla provided me the ability to develop my worldly perspective and understand practices of child upbringing in a different environment. I know that my experience in Kosovo will equip me to become a pediatrician who strives to provide quality care to families of all different cultures.