Months and months have passed since I last posted. A lot of things have happened since then. I worked on my applications, submitted them, had interview invites, attended the interviews, sent thank you letters, and now we are here. It’s February 2023 and it’s the month for Rank order list submission. This also means that Match day is coming closer. I am grateful that I had interviews. I did not receive many, but I am still grateful that I had any. I am currently hoping for the best but also preparing for the worst. A little scared but will stay hopeful and grateful whatever happens.
Do you still remember? When I posted last December (2021), I was in a state where I had options for only H1B programs. I had limited options, but I told myself that I will persist. On May 9th, 2022, Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare made an announcement saying that they will provide letter of intents to foreign graduates if they prove that they cannot obtain medical license in the country they graduated medical school from. This news was quite heavenly for me. It meant that I can now also apply to programs that provide J1 visas on top of the ones that provide the H1B visa. What a great and perfect timing? I could not believe it. Also, I would never have known about this if it wasn’t for that friendly stranger who emailed me about it after watching my YouTube channel. She knew of my situation and delightedly emailed me of the great news.
Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed by the immensity of help I receive from all the people around me from all over the world. I don’t even know how I can reciprocate them. But I do know that my strivings to become a good doctor will definitely give them joy and meaning. I know that my success story despite all the struggles, will make their efforts rewarding.
I actually went through a period of depression when I was in Florida, but a kind stranger who eventually became a good friend of mine, spent time with me on the weekends to keep me company. This helped me a great deal and allowed me to come out of my darkest pits. Being outdoors and exploring the nature out there rejuvenated me and brought me strength to endure each week. I also prayed eagerly that I could go back to NY for more clinicals, but did not know where to start looking, and I wasn’t willing to find one through agencies that demand thousands of dollars because I was already short on finances.
God was definitely listening to my eager plea. Roughly a month ago from today, on June 25th, my sister messaged me saying that a doctor she knows in Queens NY is in need of help at his clinic and is willing to have me rotate there for free. I was delighted. I was grateful. These are just snippets of “ayudas”/helps I have encountered through my journey and if I were to list them all, I might just sit down and cry with overwhelming gratefulness.
But yeah, I am now in Queens, NY. I started my rotation at the clinic last week. I was just sitting on my table and was working on my ERAS application when I suddenly felt an urge to journal. I guess it’s also been quite a while since I last posted, so here it is… me being grateful… and happy where I am…
Thank you for following my journey. I hope that my little journey sparks joy in your life.
I just realized that this will be my first post for this year of 2022. A lot has happened since my last post and it’s been a mixture of amazing opportunities and also challenging adjustments.
December 28, 2021 – I went back to Korea from NYC January 8, 2022 – Ended my 10 day quarantine period January 10, 2022 – Started working at Fortis Collegiate Academy (teaching English) – applied to this job while I was in NYC so that I can start as soon as I return to Korea. (to save up for application season) February 28, 2022 – Ended work at the Academy because of a great opportunity that came my way March 4, 2022 – Flew to Florida for an extended period of US Clinical Experience at a Pediatric Clinic April 17, 2022 – Today. Easter Sunday. 1.5 months into my life in Florida. Adjusted pretty well into how things are done here at the clinic. Grateful for all the learnings I have attained so far and I am looking forward to more growth ahead.
I can’t express in words how internally challenging it was for me to fly to a state where I have never lived before. I came down here without knowing anyone. But it’s also amazing because I get to experience being in a new place and is almost like a preview of how things can feel when I’ll have to move to an entirely new state for residency. I’ve also been learning a ton about how things are done down here in Orlando, Florida, so that’s also been quite enriching to say the least. I definitely still feel a little out of place sometimes and am struggling to get to places because life is almost impossible here without a car. So I am currently looking into several options for myself, so I hope I get to decide on something that can help me get around better. I’d love to connect with more doctors here in Florida, so we’ll see how the adventure goes.
What’s up next is STEP 3 exam in June and of course, application this coming September! 🙂 Nerve wracking but also exciting. Wishing all applicants their best as early as now.
Love, Sarang ❤ P.S. Don’t ever give up on your dreams no matter how hard and challenging it may get.
It is mid-December, which means the end of this year is just around the corner. 2021 will soon come to an end and the year 2022 will commence soon. Time flies. This time last year, I was quarantined in a far away facility in Korea because I tested positive for covid-19. I got it from my brother who works as an architect (he got it from one of his clients). I experienced post-covid brain fog and some other side effects, but I eventually recovered and got back to STEP 1 studying. Who would have known that 1 year from that time, I would be here, having completed my step 1, step 2 ck, OET, Pathway 6, and have obtained my ECFMG certificate? I did not know. But here I am, grateful and deep in thought as I reflect back on things that have happened this year.
I mentioned these things on the video I recently posted on my YouTube channel, but late this year, I found out that I may not be able to get a J1 visa for my residency. Which means I only have H1B as an option. As an IMG, I am advised to apply to roughly 200 programs to increase my chances of Matching into a program. There are however, less than 100 Internal Medicine programs that provide an H1B visa, which means that my chances of getting interviews/matching will be lower (more so with my scores that aren’t that competitive compared to all the other IMGs who score really high). Also, for me to get the H1B visa, I need to take the step 3 exam, which is not a problems, since I already got my ECFMG certificate and can apply for one. I realized tho that not many people think about this or even know about these possible walls that may prevent them from going further.
(For those who want to know more – I can’t go for J1 visa because I don’t have a medical license in my own country, which is Korea – this means that Korea won’t provide me with a “Statement of Need” letter that says that the skill I will be attaining in the US is something Korea will need – will allow me to come back to Korea and serve with the skills I obtained in the US. I don’t have a license in Korea which means they will not give me the letter. I also can’t get it from the Philippines where I did my medschool in, since I am not allowed to take the Philippine’s boards (which means no license for me as a foreigner)
Hence, I am currently faced with a roadblock. It is actually a pretty big one, but for some reason, despite these things, I’ve been feeling peace in my heart. I am just content and happy where I am at the moment and I’m just thinking to myself that no matter what happens in the end, I will be grateful despite it all and that I will be okay. All these things helped me grow to become who I am today and I am open to facing the challenges ahead even if that could mean more pain in the ass for me. lol
These are my current plans: – Work in Korea starting January to prepare financially for the application cycle – Continue studying Spanish so I can cater to my patients from that background in the future – Do more research and publish papers – Take step 3 exam (possibly around July) – Start on my personal statement and program list – Grow my YouTube channel (to help others and also myself thru side income) – Get myself more fit through a more regular work out schedule – Go camping/hiking on the weekends for my happiness and sanity – Spend more time with family while I can ❤
I think that’s all I have for now. Simple and joyous 🙂 I wish you all a blessed Merry Christmas and a fruitful journey ahead!
Just posting here what I wrote on this particular date.
“God has been so good to me. Through my good times and bad. Through all my highs and lows. Whether I was remembering Him or not, He was always there and He knew exactly what I was going through. He knew what I was up to, and He showed me so much grace every time. Through all my failures and successes, He was there, cheering for me and carrying me through. He was with me through every season and He will be there through all the coming seasons.”
“Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it.” – Mark Twain
I have been reflecting on this quote a lot today. There are things that can be scary and overwhelming at times, especially in medicine. But I realized that overcoming little fears can help us build courage to overcome bigger fears in the future. They somehow become stepping stones in helping us become braver and stronger today than we were yesterday.
Also, another thing I’ve been reflecting on is that nature can heal. I am currently in South Hamilton, Massachusetts where my sister’s family lives and the green grassy field and the beautiful trees that are changing colors due to the the changing season have been so enriching for me. It definitely has its way of making people calm and be at ease at the awe of all of its beauty.
Just my two cents of reflection today. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope you get to appreciate the little blessings around you. 🙂
It’s okay to take a little longer than others. Everything has it’s own timing and all things will work together for good in the end as long as you don’t give up and stay right on track as you pursue your dream. This phase may be very challenging and making decisions right there and then can be very stressful at times. Yes, it is a lot of pressure and weight. But it’s okay. In due time you will get there too. I am writing this down just so I remember how hard it was emotionally, mentally, and in many many aspects – really anxiety inducing.
I’m at the moment where I am done with STEP 1, OET, Pathway 6 certification, and my USCE. I however do not have my STEP 2 CK exam yet. I am currently preparing for it and I just hope I get a good result once I take it. I am honestly currently really tired and just want to go into the woods and fall asleep or chill. Or go into the mountains and just sit there staring at the profoundly beautiful view from above. Yeah, that would be very very nice and relaxing. Maybe going to the sauna and dunking my body would also be quite nice and relaxing because it’s been getting really cold here.
Anyhow, Sarang Choi, remember these days – you cried quite a lot (since I have a tendency to forget my painful days just so i don’t feel the pain) – but I think it’s important to remember how hard it was – it can definitely help others who are struggling and are wondering why it seems so hard for them and not for others – when in fact it’s difficult for everyone. It’s no joke. It’s heavy but you get through it in due time.
Missions & Medicine 