02.07.2011

Never in my life have I felt so defeated.

As I explained last week, the university system here is completely different.  Today, I decided that it is worth taking a shot at the public university of medicine here, since most of the classes I took at AU would probably knock off a year or two of the 6-year long program.  Plus, because I did decent enough at AU (for Argentine standards, I would never have had to take an additional exam to proceed to the following school-year), I believed I had a good chance to get into the university for this year.  I am not saying that I went in today with prowess and with a proud attitude, but I went in with optimism.

I arrive at the school of medicine, walk up the stairs to administration, and encounter 3 women.  Unfortunately, this is not to my advantage.  Here, it is much easier for a female to get things done when a male is at attendance.  However, this was not the case.  And, since societal class and discrimination amongst people of different jobs is still quite apparent, it was obvious that they, women who work as sort of receptionists for important people at the prestigious school of medicine, were not going to let what appears to be some rich, “Yanki” who claims to have studied to be a doctor into the university.  It just was not going to happen.  As kind as I was, and as many times as I tried to shove my transcript in any of their faces (they did not once even take a look at it…not once did they take the paper from me to see that I took classes like “Biochemistry,” and “Cellular Immunology,”), they did not budge.

 I even asked if I would be able to speak to a person who accepts students into the medical program to explain my situation.  They told me the person was not there and I would not be able to even talk to him/her since I missed the exam to get in for this year.  The exam was in November.  It is equivocal to an AP Biology or AP Chemistry exam.  I did 4 years of college.  I know transcription and translation.  I know how to convert an atm to a mol.  There is no problem in me taking the exam.  I should have said in that instant, “Is there anyone that can give me the exam before the school year starts?  Any professor?  All I would need is one afternoon in order to demonstrate my capability.”  But I did not.  I felt defeated. 

Essentially, my 4 years of college…which were extremely stressful and difficult…serves me no more than 1 year of psychology, 2 years of becoming a “professor of English,” or potentially getting into the medical school NEXT YEAR.  I walked out of the school of medicine and began to cry.  You all know me.  I do not cry.  But I cried.  All by myself.  In this bureaucratic mess of a world.  I am not giving up, though.  If there is no way I can study medicine this year, I will do everything in my power to get in for next year.  For the time being, I will “study” to be a professor of English.  If they let me in.