Erik Aznauryan
Dear David,
I hope you are well, enjoying belated spring days in Moscow. How is
everything at home? How are your studies?
You know that I always had a dream of studying in the UK as I think that
a combination of modern technologies and a traditional approach to
education, used in this country, is the only way to produce fresh talents
that can lead the world to a better future. Now we all can proudly say
that my dream has come true!
I am writing to you from one of the most fascinating cities I have ever
been to — Newcastle upon Tyne. I started this year here with my head
full of ideas and plans that I was sure I would be able to realize. Keeping
in mind that degree in biomedical sciences can provide me with an
opportunity to work almost anywhere in the world, I preferred to use this
year as a springboard to study medicine.
Having this transfer route as my main priority for this year I dived into a
new world of a high-class education being alone in a foreign country.
However, from the very first days of my course I was surrounded by so
much support and help from literally everyone in the University, from a
lady issuing smart cards to a personal tutor providing all the necessary
information about my first year, that for a moment I forgot that I was so
far away from my home. The only thing that constantly reminded me of
an enormous distance that separates the shores of Britain from our home
was the language. It was really challenging to try to explain my thoughts
in completely different way but again I felt myself comfortable, as I knew
that people would listen to me patiently despite my linguistic difficulties.
Speaking about people in Newcastle I should say that hospitality and
friendliness is probably their motto. In huge malls and tiny shops, elite
restaurants and fast-food cafes, halls of residence and the University itself
everyone makes every effort to help the others in every possible way.
This great spirit of community coupled with my desire to study medicine
here encouraged me to start volunteering for PALS.
PALS is an organization that acts like a bridge which connects patient
and medical staff in a hospital by collecting a confidential feedback from
former therefore improving the facilities they are provided with. I
enjoyed every minute I spent there, as it was an effective and fascinating
way to study the whole structure of the health care system in the UK and
have an exceptional opportunity to chat with patients.
Erik Aznauryan
Although my first year in Newcastle yielded an outstanding experience,
there was also a reverse side of a coin that taught me a great lesson of
life. Despite all my efforts I didn’t manage to get into medicine this year.
It was probably the greatest disappointment I’ve ever had in my life and
the fact that I was far away from my family made the things even worse.
But the close relationship with my friends that I made here helped me to
recover from this misfortune. They supported me at this difficult period
of time and reassured me that it was obviously not the end world. With
their help I realized that this fiasco should not have an impact on my
future studies, as I am determined to try a graduate entry into medicine
and I feel I have got the potential to achieve my goal.
During this year I understood a very important concept, which I’d like to
share with you: one of the most essential qualities a person can carry
throughout his/her life is an experience. It can’t be neglected, as it is
something that will stay with person until the very end. That’s what I am
gaining here – a priceless experience of life, which will undoubtedly
define my future.
Miss you and hope to see you soon,
Erik