Grace Biju Thomas, a member of the winning team of the YSMU International Student Debate Competition, is a 6th year student at the Faculty of General Medicine.
24-year-old future doctor was born in Kerala, South India, but was raised and did her complete schooling in New Delhi.
“I am an artist with a passion for medicine ingrained in me deep from childhood. At childhood I was a shy, introvert with low self-esteem. But as growing up, I found my voice in art. I used it as a mode to express my emotions which later became my strength”, Grace tells. She won over 50+ painting, sketching, and art competition and gained a title of Creative Artist.
Over the time Grace realised her talents in singing and dancing as well.
“I've always had the passion to be on camera. My teacher Mrs. Gayane Davtyan bestowed a prestigious opportunity to appear on Armenian Public Television to sing a beautiful song written by her husband, famous composer, Armenian National Artist Sasun Paskevichyan.
Telling about why has she decided to become a doctor, Grace says: “I always had the heart since childhood to do something for the people and mankind. And I thought becoming a doctor I can make my parents proud and also do what I really want – serving people. Then my only goal and dream was to get into medical school. Knowing how hard and risky this decision is, still I found my foot on the ground and was ready to take that venture. My father inspired me, and my mother supported me all through the process of choosing medicine by beliving in me. And after 6 years when I look back, I feel proud for taking that strong decision, and YSMU gave me those wings that I needed to fulfil those dreams”.
The future doctor totally believes in destiny and God's plan. “There is one saying by Paulo Coelho which says: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”. And that's what had happened. I accidently came across the brochure of YSMU which I didn't pay attention to, thinking that I'll get into any medical university in India. But my dad got interested into it. Armenia for being known to be the 1st Christian country and lowest crime rates caught his eyes”, she notes.
YSMU, according to Grace, has high credence and rankings and is known for its world class education, well recognised in India. “The education system in this university, the care and attention lecturers attend their students are unparallel to any educational institution for higher studies. Reading testimonials and talking to alumni made it my natural choice to study in this university”, she emphasizes.
It really fascinates Grace the genesis of new cell in a mother's womb and how a woman's body is so versatily created. “Hence, gynecology and obstetrics would be my 1st choice in the set of specialities”, she adds.
Talking about Armenia, the Indian student assures: “It’s a beautiful country with breathtaking sights of nature, art forms, monuments, streets, mountains and lots of monasteries. And I do feel proud that I study in such a tourist attracting country. The language – Hayeren – is an old, rich language, full of history, and it is indeed a privilege to learn such an ancient language and paying respect to it”.
The armenian people, Grace emphasizes, are very warm and welcoming, and this is what that makes international students feel home. “Armenia, surely, does feel like my second home. Here people are grateful and kind hearted”, the student says.
From her point of view, doctors should be great listeners, empathetic to the concerns of their patients with strong work ethics. “Humanity becomes the most important virtue in a doctor along with compassion and dedication. Doctors need to understand that patient isn't just a list of medical problems and medications. Doctors should be well versed and up to date with all the important information regarding his/her practice. Doctors are responsible for increased life expectancy and improved well-being in society. I would love to quote what Sir William Osler famously said: “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease”. To add further context, a great physician appreciates the illness in the context of the whole”, Grace Biju Thomas concludes.
Author: Tatevik Ghazaryan