What do you think?/D7000/2014/Chicago Museum of Science and Industry/Chicago, IL

In 24 hours I will be heading to O’Hare for my direct flight over the icecap to Beijing, China for 1 year. Where my path will take a drastic detour in contrast to my friends’ lives as they continue their road to finish 4th year, interviews, and eventually residency. It’s been interesting to watch my best friends agonize over application procedures, personal statements, and which programs to apply. I almost feel left behind. As if I am doing something wrong. Up until now I’ve been one to flow with the tide; high school to college, college straight to medical school. Now is my time to fight the tide. To define my own road.

Despite the tantalizing unknown staring me in the face, I am going to miss everyone. My father, my family, my friends, and Jennifer. I’ve been so lucky to have an amazing girl. Chicago would not have been the same without her, and when I think of our moments together I will not only miss Chicago but her. Some experiences in life can be defined by one person, Jen to me is Chicago. An amazing person/city.

In addition, my friends here and across the country have been so incredibly supporting. They look on my deviation with pride and now I need to prove them right. I don’t know what the next few days will hold, but after planning and working on my application for over two years, the fruits of my labor are about to be borne. I am a Fogarty Scholar, and I am going to move the world!