Ahmad ibrahem Ali Suwad
Medicine is not just a field of study; it is a lifelong commitment to learning and serving humanity. However, pursuing this path demands immense physical, mental, and financial resilience. Any strain on one of these pillars can jeopardize success. In this essay, I share the challenges I faced during my last semester and how financial support could be crucial in helping me overcome these obstacles.
I live in Bethlehem, a city south of Hebron, while attending Palestine Polytechnic University.
Under normal circumstances, the commute to my university takes 45 minutes to an hour and costs around $3. Unfortunately, the ongoing conflict in Gaza has turned this routine journey into a daily struggle. The route we previously relied on passes through an area inhabited by Israelis, a region now fraught with danger due to heightened tensions. These roads are frequently closed, forcing us to take a much longer alternative route that extends my commute to four hours round trip and increases daily commute expenses to approximately $12.60 without taking into account my own. This prolonged travel time not only exhausts me physically but also significantly impacts my finances.
The war has also devastated my family’s already limited resources. My parents, who support a family of seven, have seen their wages cut in half. What was once a manageable, though tight, financial situation has now become unsustainable. To help reduce this burden, I took on a part-time job, often working late into the night. While this has provided some relief, it has also come at a great cost. Balancing work, an exhausting commute, and a demanding academic schedule has left me with little time or energy to focus on my studies.
As a medical student, my academic workload is intense. I am required to complete 20 hours' worth of courses per semester, which means spending six to seven hours daily at the university. Coupled with a four-hour commute and a four-hour job, my schedule leaves no room for rest or effective study. This relentless cycle has taken a toll on my academic performance and overall well-being. The passion and excitement I once felt for medicine have been overshadowed by the stress of simply trying to keep up.
Donors’ contributions could change my life in ways I can only imagine. With financial support, I could reduce my reliance on part-time work, allowing me to dedicate my energy and focus entirely to my education. It would ease the financial burden on my family, lifting a
weight that has become increasingly difficult to bear. Most importantly, it would give me the opportunity to thrive academically and rediscover the joy of pursuing my dream of becoming a doctor.
In conclusion, the challenges I have faced due to financial and logistical constraints have made my journey to becoming a doctor incredibly difficult. However, I remain determined to succeed. With the support of donors, I could overcome these obstacles, restore my academic performance, and work toward my goal of making a meaningful impact through medicine.
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