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Esther Amuyunzu is from Kenya and is in her second year as a medical student at UCSF in San Francisco. She describes how her mother, who was a nurse, inspired her interest in the medical field.
Esther explains the importance for students to have a clear vision and a plan once they enter community college, informed by an understanding of what will be involved in the medical training and the stepping stones along the way. It takes four years at undergraduate level and four years at medical school to become an MD – a medical doctor. The medical school training involves two years in a classroom setting and a third and fourth year working with patients using the knowledge gained in class to become an MD, followed by a three year residency. Further training is required to specialize in a particular area.