First Friend

 The first day at campus was a memorable one. I was clad in a blue denim and a tucked in striped dark grey shirt with sneakers. The moment in stepped in to the lecture hall I realized the lecture had already started. There were around forty students inside the hall with the lecturer. Glancing at the students they all looked older than me. I felt intimidated. Nimbly I crept into the back row chairs. A strange feeling came over that everyone is staring at me but I quickly calmed down and started to concentrate on the lecture. 

It was Prof. Shanti giving an introduction to anatomy. I tried hard to listen but I couldn't hear anything. Reflexively I got up and claimed 'Madam sorry I can't hear you'. There was a moment of silence in the lecture hall. All heads were turning towards me which made me anxious. Prof. Shanti nodded and instructed another gentleman to adjust the microphone and increase the volume. The lecture continued as usual. 

To this day I cannot remember the topic of the lecture but vividly remember the incident of the microphone. Afterwards we went to the canteen area wanting to grab bite. It was a decent place but starting to build up. There were only a few options available at the time. I bought a snack sat at a corner alone. Scanning the student area I noticed there only around 8 boys and 30 odd girls. A wave of excitement and anxiety went through my spine. I always used to shy person and never had the courage to speak to girls. Scared and alone I kept munching my snack. 

The next class was Russian language. Didn't have a clue about the language but was excited to attend the class. She said 'Zdrastvuyte' to everyone the classroom which meant hello in Russian. She was a fair skinned, average build woman clad in skirt and blouse. She was always smiling and spoke in a kind manner. We were asked to switch on the Apple computers on our table. The desktop looked entirely different to Microsoft Windows and unfamiliar to all. I looked at the student who was sitting next me. 

She looked at me and smiled. She said 'Hi, I am Shazmin what's your name?' I guessed that she was around my age who seemed very friendly and nice. I introduced myself and we became friends. She was my 'first' SAITM friend. 

The class was interesting but didn't understand a thing. Since it was common to everyone nobody was worried. Soon we were informed by the lecturers that we are to be separated into groups A,B,C and D. I fell into group B with 5 other girls and one boy. Shazmin was allocated to group C. Without my new friend I was again alone. I isolated myself in the library. 

Thus was the first day at SAITM. 

The Decision

It was in 2009 September. I just completed my London A/L examination. I managed to pass with three C's in the science stream in Biology, Chemistry and Physics in my first attempt. Since childhood I was fascinated by science especially the science of the human body. I always wondered why people fell ill what can be done about it. This inspired when mom fell ill complained about something wrong. The words 'gastic', 'migraine' became familiar household nouns which intrigued me. Hence I chose medicine for further studies. 

My parents never forced me to do anything. I had my free will since preschool to date. My father is an Electrical Engineer and mother is a business woman managing her own company. They probably wanted me to pursue engineering which was not to be. 

At school I was not well known my studies. I enjoyed playing football and assumed the role of senior prefect. I never highlighted in studies nor sports and was happy to be an 'average' Joe. 

The school did teach the science subjects that required to gain entry to state medical college. However I was not inclined to study for the GCE A/L examination to be in 2010. The A/L examination in Sri Lanka is highly competitive and gaining entry to medical college was considered the greatest achievement for an A/L student due to the very limited intake. This repelled me and I chose to do London A/L examination. I found the syllabus taught in was quite relevant and examination was more to test the knowledge rather than making competition. This decision was the beginning of an incredible journey which I never envisaged. 

After getting the A/L results in 2009 I realized that I was an year ahead compared to my peers in school who were sitting for Local A/L exam in 2010. Hence an the door was open to pursue university education. However I was not able to gain entry to state medical college which provided free education. The burden was suddenly upon my parents. 

I looked for opportunities abroad including Bangladesh, Nepal and Georgia to pursue medicine. I did happen to go for an interview to apply for Medicine course in Bangladesh. But fate had other ideas. 

In Malabe, a new building was under construction for a medical faculty. The opening intake to be scheduled in September 2009. The name was South Asian Institute of Technology and Management (SAITM). The brochure mentioned they offer medical degree MD Russia with the affiliation of a Russian university named Nizhny Novgorad State Medical Academy. It mentioned 4 years in Sri Lanka and the final year in Russia. My mother wanted to explore this option. I was excited to see the new medical faculty which happened to be a private medical college. 

I filled my application and waited outside. The building construction was ongoing and the sounds of the wheelbarrow and cement mixing was filled the background. Moments went by and I was called in for an interview. There were 3 people waiting in the board room whom I was formerly introduced as Prof. Shanti Goonewardene, Dr. Keerthi and Mrs. Hussain. I vaguely remember they asked if was ready to join. Without blinking I said 'Absolutely' not caring for what holds in the future or if it was affordable for my parents. The total fee was Rs. 5.5 million. Not understanding the gravity of the decision I just said I really want to join SAITM. It took my parents by surprise and there was no idea on how to find the money. My mother said 'if Shane wants it let's somehow find the money'. 

Such was the beginning of my future or an adventure of a lifetime.