Science, Struggle, and Success: A Journal as an International Student in Biology
If someone asks me, “What is it like being a Biology major at Arcadia?” I would say, “Being a Biology major at Arcadia is rewarding and challenging simultaneously.” The program is designed to push students to think critically, apply what they learn to real-world situations, and develop research skills early on. One thing I like the most about the Biology program here is the small class size that allows all students to get hands-on experience, quickly get to know each other, and connect with professors.
This semester, I enjoyed BI242 (Reading and Writing in Biology). In this class, we learned how to read and write a scientific paper, which was a new experience for me. I enjoy reading research papers, but I had never written one before, and this class was such an eye-opening experience for me. I also took my Physics classes (PH201 and PH202) this year. When I shadowed a urologist in the operating room, I saw that what I had learned in class could be used in different situations, mainly if it played an essential role in patient care. So far, my experience at Arcadia has been excellent. I enjoy the support I have received from everyone, including my advisor, professors, mentors, and other peers on campus. Everyone here ensures that you will succeed in everything you do.
Growing up in a remote area in Cambodia, I saw many people struggle to find the care they need due to resource limitations. As a result, some who can afford the treatment decide to get care elsewhere, some go to a nearby country for the hospital, and some who cannot afford it have a devasted outcome. Coming to the U.S. when I was 16 was a new experience for me, both educationally and personally, and my goal is to become a physician in the future.
The medical path in Cambodia is slightly different from here, so once you graduate from high school, you can take the national entrance exam to get into medical school. There, the length is 8 years, and you will get a degree to become a medical doctor (MD), given that you pass all national exams. In the U.S., it was different since you have to go through a Bachelor’s degree first, do some extracurricular activities, take the MCAT, and then you can apply to medical school later. This was a big surprise for me when I was in high school, and later on, I started to learn more about the U.S. healthcare system.
I graduated from high school in Arcadia as a Biology major. I chose this as my major because it is very flexible for me to complete prerequisite courses for the medical school admission requirement. This does not mean that majoring in something other than Biology does not allow you to complete these prerequisites; you still can do all of that, but for Biology, all of those prerequisite classes are built into your major requirements, so you don’t need to take it in addition to your primary requirements.
In the Summer of 2024, I did research with Dr.Christopher Binckley in the Biology Department; it was my first time doing research, and it was terrific. I learned a lot both in the lab and in real life. I also enjoy volunteering in the hospital because it can help me gain some hands-on experience, which makes me feel fulfilled when I do all of that. This experience allowed me to gain more insight into patient care, public health, and the difficulties different people in different populations face. Despite my busy schedule, I still want to continue to give back to the community. Being an international student here, I have faced many challenges. However, despite that, I still have no regrets about coming here to continue my higher education.
Coming here as an international student has been an exciting journey. Despite receiving tremendous support from my professors and peers, I still have to navigate obstacles, whether that is adapting to a new education system or balancing academics and extracurriculars. I have learned that resilience and adaptability are critical. However, I have learned to seek out any opportunities where I can contribute, such as summer research projects and hospital volunteering. All of these have been rewarding and have affirmed my passion for medicine.
No matter what, I am grateful for the journey; at the same time, I also have learned that every difficulty, challenge, and obstacle I encounter has been pushing me to grow, learn, and develop skills that will make me a better person. The ability to adapt, think critically, and persist despite obstacles will undoubtedly help me throughout my journey to medicine.
As I continue my journey at Arcadia, I am excited about what lies ahead, whether in the classroom, lab, or volunteering. These experiences helped me grow as a student and a person, and I know there is still so much more to discover in this journey.
Looking back three years ago, I would not change a thing about my decision to pursue my education here; being an international student has given me a unique perspective. No matter how uncertain the path may seem, I remain committed to my dream of working in healthcare and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. For any other students, whether you are international or not, who may be facing challenges, I want to say that your journey is your own. Every challenge you face is your opportunity to grow, keep moving forward, and never lose sight of why you started this journey.
