Montreal, January 15, 2018 To the admissions committee, The decision to apply to medical school abroad was not a decision I made lightly. Although studying medicine has been at the forefront of my mind since a young age, I had to think long and hard before deciding to apply. During my adolescence, growing up in Lebanon, I had the opportunity to see the work of Doctors Without Borders on the ground, in rural border towns. Due to political instability, these cities remained stuck in a state of war long after the end of the Lebanese Civil War. The infrastructure was in ruins and medical services did not exist; the population relied on foreign volunteer doctors. Seeing doctors in such a stripped-down environment doing their best to uphold their Hippocratic Oath was a turning point. Advocacy and volunteering have been an integral part of shaping the person I am today. I started as a guide where equality, compassion and respect for nature were all building blocks to becoming a responsible member of the community. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Later, during my undergraduate degree, the core values ​​I learned from the guides were translated into the involvement of student societies on campus, volunteering with children. Cancer Center of Lebanon and resulted in the co-founding of an association of food banks in Lebanon called Stand by Me. I believe that to be an effective member of the community, one must be involved, it That's why, when I moved to Montreal, I joined the Montreal section of the Red Cross. In addition, I participated in the “Project Montreal” electoral campaign, aimed at electing the first female mayor in the history of Montreal. My motivation has never wavered in doing my best to help others, standing up for what I know is right, and using my voice and actions to bring about change around me. The medical profession is difficult and you have to be realistic in your expectations. It's not a 9-5 job, nor is it as glamorous as that portrayed in the media or seen by the general public as an endless source of money. I know the path to a medical career is long and difficult, and the long hours and responsibilities can be both physically and emotionally taxing, but the lifelong learning and challenging experiences make it a fulfilling vocation. For my master's project, I was hoping to do it in a clinical setting. I met the director of the department, after discussing my scientific interests and aspirations, he suggested that I carry out my project under the supervision of Dr. Litalien, professor in the department and emergency physician at Sainte Justine Children's Hospital. This project was the most rewarding learning experience. Working in a hospital setting alongside a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory technicians, highlighted the diversity and variety of the medical field, as well as the motivation and dedication to providing the better patient care. I was confronted with the unpleasant side of medicine: suffering and death. But seeing the medical team at Sainte Justine Children's Hospital highlighted the importance of empathy and a personalized approach when providing care. They truly embodied in their work concern for the emotional and physical well-being of their patients, a lifelong lesson that I hope.