This particular post is for my colleagues especially people still in Nigeria. Especially if you’re in a residency program. I often get people ask me the question ‘How were you able to attend the international conferences/mentoring program you went for?’
The best thing you can do for yourself is to have a mentor(s) that will make your path easier. I have gone for two international conferences and a mentoring in dermatologic surgery all sponsored; partly or fully. These opportunities are available only if you open your eyes to them.
Be a member of your local association. I can’t emphasize this enough. Observe keenly the people that you align with. Move close to them and gain knowledge and understanding. If there’s one thing I should reiterate again…its that nobody really knows if you want something if you don’t open your mouth. Don’t be a pest but please let it be known when you need help.
The next thing I’ll advice is to be a fee paying member of an international organization relevant to your specialty. I have been a member of the International Society of Dermatology (ISD) for about 5 years now. You’ll get updates about scholarships for conferences and other things. So as a surgeon for example, you can be a member of the American society of Surgeons or International Society of Surgeons (if there’s anything like that)
I know it may be stressful especially in this part of the world where most of the researches are self funded but it would help if you participate in research work. The best way to make yourself visible internationally is by doing this. Nobody knows the resident in FMC or LUTH if you’ve not put yourself out there. ‘Be keen to be seen, and be seen to be keen’. Most of these scholarships that you apply for will actually require that you write an abstract. Once you start writing papers, it becomes easier with each one you write.
You will be doing yourself a great disservice if you don’t ever leave this country and go to other places to see how it’s done. Seek for ways to stand out even if you’re going to practice in this country. The world is becoming highly competitive. Go out there and improve yourself. If you don’t see how it’s done elsewhere….you start thinking of yourself as a local champion and you become complacent. And complacency and mediocrity walk hand in hand. I remember when I was in Brazil, I had to ask my mentor to remind me if he was a dermatologic surgeon or a burns and plastic surgeon. For almost every surgery we did…we were doing flaps after excision. Going to Brazil was the highlight of my year and the kind of connections and friendship I made there is something to hold on to for a lifetime.
When you do travel, please ensure that you allow yourself to enjoy every part of the training and be open to new friendship. I have made lifelong friends and I even have new mentors apart from the one assigned to me from the International Society of Dermatology. (A big shoutout to my mentors Dr. Luiz G.M Castro, Dr. Cris Messina and to the International Society of Dermatology)
I enjoyed every aspect of their culture and I even finally adapted to airkissing everyone as a form of greeting there in Brazil. I introduced them to our finger licking cuisine in Nigeria and I also tried their own food. We ate plenty of efo riro with jollof rice and we even did a group dance to Yemi Alade’s ‘Johnny’. Lol
If you need help…ask for it.
If you need guidance….look for it.
Define your goals and objectives and work towards it. We all need other people sometimes; identify those that can illuminate your path and don’t forget to pay it forward when others need you too.
N.B…I still don’t have money sha. Lol.
Any questions or comments?
