In 2018, when I finished studying anatomy for the second time, a colleague suggested that I participate in The Elsevier Anatomy Olympiad after one of my voluntary classes to help my peers. I later discovered that it was the most prestigious competition among medical students in Brazil. It was the last day for registration, and I decided to participate.
I progressed through the Olympiad, round by round, until I finally reached the final (phase 6), placing among the top five in the country, competing with nearly 7,000 participants. Against all odds, I also managed to finish the semester above the 90th percentile in General Pathology, one of the most challenging disciplines at my university. I remember taking a taxi to the airport with the trophy and the large symbolic prize check written – USA, Dec, 2018.
The taxi radio was playing “Reach” by Gloria Estefan. As I listened, I gazed out the window at the bustling city, reflecting on the fact that I had won the most prestigious competition among medical students in Brazil and was heading to the USA for the first time.