(Update below) This is the face of determination. My daughter, Isabella, has always dreamt of being a doctor. But she lives in Iceland, where there is only one medical school. Once a year, hundreds of hopeful students take a 2-day, 12-hour test where only the top 60 are invited to attend classes in the fall. It's the Hunger Games of med school, and it's brutally difficult. Her first attempt was in 2020, and she failed. She finished 96th out of 382. For a person used to success, it was a tremendous setback. It meant she would have to give up her dream, apply to study abroad, or wait a year and try again. It took her about an hour to decide to try again. She got a job at the hospital and spent the next year working and studying 6 hours every day. She gave up time with friends and family. She took no days off. She was a machine. The day came, and she faced the test for the second time. She walked in feeling confident and powerful. She was ready. Her results: 64th out of 421 applicants. She fell four spots short of her dream. Four spots. Did she cry? Feel defeated? Question herself and her abilities? Hell yes she did! Did she quit? Not this girl. She gathered her resolve and got right back to it. She switched jobs to the E.R. to gain more practical experience. She changed her study habits and found outside resources to help. She stayed determined to make her dream happen, and showed up every day to do the work. And now, as I type this post, she's sitting in a stark room in Iceland with 400+ others, facing the test for the third time. Committed to making her dream a reality. My prediction? She's going to nail it! Blow it out of the water. Top 20, for sure. But as confident as I am in the results, I know she's already won. Over the past two years, Isabella's shown more determination, resolve, and grit than any test could ever reveal. If she fails, I know she'll be OK. She'll regroup, create a plan, and get it done. And that, as her father, is MY dream come true. Update: SHE DID IT!!! SHE DID IT!!! ✨ 🎖 💥 I'm so thrilled to share that Isabella made it happen! She placed #28, earning her spot in med school with room to spare. My little girl is going to be a doctor! THANK YOU ALL for the outpouring of encouragement and kindness. I'm honored her story inspired so many people, and proud to see her efforts celebrated. Set your goals and work hard. Good things will follow, I promise! #summerofbella #shedidit #futuredoctor #goalsetting #determination #medicalstudent #proudfather #iceland #thirdtimeisthecharm
Exactly what I was trying to teach my 6 year old today. I'd you fail, try again. Change strategy (in the case number of building sticks) if needed. Isabella, is a doctor, I'd be honored to treat me. She is a winner in my eyes. Can't wait to read her narrative.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
She’s holding a champagne glass - a giveaway? Best of luck to her, you have to want your goals. As a surgeon who has been privileged to travel to Iceland, I wish you and her all the best. The resourcefulness, resolve and adaptability she has already shown will stand her in good stead in the profession.
Isabella sounds awesome. I believe she has testing anxiety syndrome. You literally get glazed in the middle of an exam and hyperventilate. Brain gets like a toxic glaze. And Panic overtakes you! You hear demons saying your not good enough your an imposter! I had this most of my life! I learned to not care after a while. I decided I make my worth to me not those people creating tests that only test your test ability not your integrity, your skill to create solutions. Your ability to create teams and solve problems. If it stresses you that much shift gears. Let God show you who you are!
Erik Davidek: any news yet....? 🤞
Erik Davidek Sorry, if I missed the outcome - how did it go for Isabella?
Very inspiring and determined daughter you have there! Having such a supportive father who has absolute faith in her makes a huge difference! I wish her all the best, third time is the charm! 💪🏾👍🏾🙏🏾
Best of luck and success! She is already successful and the rest is destiny. Welcome to come to Montreal at McGill of one of the French speaking university if she wants to give a try if there are international students few spots. I was also 10 spots from Med School and decided after a year in pharmacy that this would open up a wonderful career which I love and did not apply again. I ended up doing 9 years in University adding on a PhD abroad too (she probably love learning also!!) it helps to identify what exactly she likes into the profession. Patients need a team of professionals and health science is a great field for rewarding careers and advancement for the society.
How about coming to the US we can use such a determined medical student
Sales with a Soul - Clinical Sales Associate at Intuitive Surgical
2ySHE DID IT!!! SHE DID IT!!! ✨ 🎖 💥 I'm so thrilled to share that Isabella made it happen! She placed #28, earning her spot with room to spare. My little girl is going to be a doctor! I was woken up by the FaceTime call this morning... Once I stopped screaming, the happy tears were flowing for both of us. Before we hung up, she said, "Be sure to update all the people who supported me on LinkedIn." 🤗 THANK YOU ALL for the outpouring of encouragement and kindness. I'm honored her story inspired so many people, and proud to see her efforts celebrated. Set your goals and work hard. Good things will follow, I promise! #summerofbella #shedidit #futuredoctor #goalsetting