Q & A with Corey Kamen, a medical student at the Technion American Medical School.
- Why did you decide to attend Medical School at the Technion?
I am from Thornhill, Ontario and I am currently in my second year at The Technion American Medical School. After finishing my undergrad and graduate work in Canada, I applied broadly to Medical School in Canada, the US, and Israel. I chose the Technion knowing that I would receive a very high calibre education and be well prepared for professional practice. The school is also very well regarded internationally. So far, my experience at the Technion has been incredibly positive.
- How has being a Canadian at Technion shaped your experience? Do you bring a different perspective as a Canadian and what unique experience have you gained by studying in Israel?
There are 25-30 students per year in the Technion American School; the majority of each class is American. As a Canadian, I bring a different perspective about health care, in that Canadians see universal access to health care as a right instead of a privilege.
I also believe there is a lot to gain by studying somewhere that is not your home country – where there is a different environment and language. With Canada being so multi-cultural, I have developed a deeper appreciation for the experience of individuals who come from different cultures and countries, and the challenges they may encounter navigating through systems and languages that are different than what they know. Living and studying in Israel also imparts a sense of chutzpah, resilience and a willingness to think outside the box.
- How has COVID-19 challenged you or impacted your experience as a Technion student?
The challenges of COVID-19 are not unique to being a student at the Technion, as education the world over has had to be altered. We are part of a global community of medical students and this is a common experience that we are all going through. The Technion has worked hard to adapt the delivery of education by teaching on-line and providing additional supports for students throughout the pandemic.
Being away from my family in Canada during this time has been a challenge, but it has made me appreciate them even more, as well as those that immediately surround me in the wonderful student community we are blessed to have here.
- What else would you like to share?
As much as Israel is our home as Jews, it is not easy to leave one’s native country and family. However, with time, you really do see that all of Israel is family – from the hospital staff, to taxi drivers, to cashiers in grocery stores.
When one comes here to study, one may be distant from their immediate family, but they are getting introduced to their broader family – that is Israel.