My name is Madalene Khalil. I am the daughter of two immigrant parents who moved to Canada with hardly any education, money or support. I credit my parents with my hard-working attitude and diligence (also known as stubbornness when I'm getting on my dad's nerves).
I don't remember a time when I didn't want to be a doctor. My parents always encouraged me to follow this dream but made sure I was aware, even from a young age, that this would not be an easy road and they couldn't have been more correct.
I completed a Bachelor's of Science in Microbiology and a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology. Following the completion of these two degrees, I tried to get into medical school. Having many friends who had gone through this process, I asked for advice and the tip I kept getting was to apply in Ireland or Australia. Many of my friends had travelled abroad for their medical degree and my own sister travelled to the UK for her law degree. And so, I applied to Canada and Ireland, with extremely high hopes.
Unfortunately, I received a rejection letter for every Canadian school that I applied to.
Shortly after that hurdle however, I received an invite to interview for the University of Limerick. To my surprise, many Canadians had attended this school and continue to every year. And I got in, joining this group!
Unfortunately, the expense of tuition alone dawned on me instantly - it is after all 41,000 euro per year. Despite this shocking cost, I was unanimously encouraged by my family to pursue my medical education abroad. And so, I pursued government loans and loans from financial institutions. While I was able to receive enough money to fund my first three years of medical school, I knew that my final year would have to be funded in other ways.
I was encouraged to attend school and that the final year was far enough in advance that arrangements could be made in the meantime. Unfortunately, with things in Alberta being the way they are, this has not been possible. And so, despite every attempt to avoid this situation, I'm making this page, in an attempt to reach out to the community...
I am 6 months away from graduating medical school. Being a doctor is the only thing I've ever dreamed of doing and my barrier to achieving this dream has nothing to do with my work ethic or intellectual abilities - it all comes down to finances.
Any donation would be extremely appreciated as every little bit counts.
Regardless of whether you are able to donate or not, I want to thank you for reading my story.
I don't remember a time when I didn't want to be a doctor. My parents always encouraged me to follow this dream but made sure I was aware, even from a young age, that this would not be an easy road and they couldn't have been more correct.
I completed a Bachelor's of Science in Microbiology and a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology. Following the completion of these two degrees, I tried to get into medical school. Having many friends who had gone through this process, I asked for advice and the tip I kept getting was to apply in Ireland or Australia. Many of my friends had travelled abroad for their medical degree and my own sister travelled to the UK for her law degree. And so, I applied to Canada and Ireland, with extremely high hopes.
Unfortunately, I received a rejection letter for every Canadian school that I applied to.
Shortly after that hurdle however, I received an invite to interview for the University of Limerick. To my surprise, many Canadians had attended this school and continue to every year. And I got in, joining this group!
Unfortunately, the expense of tuition alone dawned on me instantly - it is after all 41,000 euro per year. Despite this shocking cost, I was unanimously encouraged by my family to pursue my medical education abroad. And so, I pursued government loans and loans from financial institutions. While I was able to receive enough money to fund my first three years of medical school, I knew that my final year would have to be funded in other ways.
I was encouraged to attend school and that the final year was far enough in advance that arrangements could be made in the meantime. Unfortunately, with things in Alberta being the way they are, this has not been possible. And so, despite every attempt to avoid this situation, I'm making this page, in an attempt to reach out to the community...
I am 6 months away from graduating medical school. Being a doctor is the only thing I've ever dreamed of doing and my barrier to achieving this dream has nothing to do with my work ethic or intellectual abilities - it all comes down to finances.
Any donation would be extremely appreciated as every little bit counts.
Regardless of whether you are able to donate or not, I want to thank you for reading my story.