I can confidently say that pursuing an education at University of Sharjah’s (Bsc) Medical Diagnostic Imaging (MDI) program was one of the best decisions I have made for my career. It is a thorough and intense course which is geared to equipping students with the necessary theory and practical experience not only to become successful radiographers, but also vital members of any radiology team. Team building activities, critical thinking, and intensive research are key parts of every module that the course provides. Furthermore, alongside all the theoretical knowledge, the MDI department go above and beyond to arrange placements in both public and private hospitals for their students. These placements ensure students are exposed to a real-world working environment which allows numerous students (like me) to easily transition after they graduate. My heartfelt gratitude goes to all my educators during the four years at UoS - especially to Professor Bashar for running an exceptionally efficient department, and Professor Ozan for making our final semester the perfect wrap to a four-year journey.
It was a pleasure to graduate from the Medical Diagnostic Imaging department with qualified doctors and clinical tutors and with good clinical experience in all modalities around different hospitals and clinics in UAE. However, it wasn’t a lecture and clinical training-only journey, I also joined many conferences and events in and out of the university. What makes me appreciate my department the most is their efforts to maintain everything at the same level during this pandemic which was challenging.
The medical field is a vast field and imaging plays a major role in the diagnosis and treatment planning. Now that I look back at the experiences I had throughout the past 4 years, I'm more than grateful as I have learned tremendously as a student in the Medical Diagnostic Imaging (MDI) department. In terms of experience, it depends on how the individual takes that experience forward and the way to execute it. The clinical/hospital visits not only encouraged me to be academically strong but also inspired me to be a better person in life after listening to the interesting stories of the patients at the hospitals. Life at the department of Medical Diagnostic Imaging was not only about academics, but I have also been able to partake in numerous extra-curricular activities and societies which I would never have had the opportunity to pursue. Participation in these activities has helped me develop my overall personality. I stood in the College of Health Science Student Society elections and was elected as the student president of the MDI department. Giving speeches and sitting in meetings has boosted my leadership quality and my inner confidence. I have learned greatly in those unforgettable 4 years as a student and now I’m ready to explore the future life ahead.
I would like to thank Dr. Entesar for one of the most wonderful opportunities in my life. I would like to continue to work on the intersection of engineering and medicine, so gaining experience in doing so has been very valuable. Especially the work at the UHS was interesting since I have very little opportunity to gain experience with the clinical side at my university. My stay also taught me a lot about Muslim and Arabic cultures, my views of which were mostly based on hearsay and prejudice, I now know. For example, I did not even realize there was a difference between Muslim and Arabic culture but viewed them almost as synonymous. Lastly, I have met some wonderful people here, and found that everyone is very friendly and welcoming. This includes my fellow IAESTE interns and the local committee, who were always very helpful, but also just fun to get to know, some of the students I met during my stay and of course my supervisors. Last, but probably the most integral of all, I want to thank Dr. Entesar for inviting me here, providing me with probably the most interesting project I have worked on so far, and the supervision, advice, and support during my stay. Dr. Entesar allowed me to work very independently, which is something I appreciate, and it is of course also a very essential skill in my career and in life in general, yet Dr. Entesar also replied swiftly when I did have questions. It made me appreciate that Dr. Entesar was always willing to listen to my view on the project and how to proceed, and allowed me to feel like it was also my project, not just a job I do because I'm paid for it.
