Expector's study experience in Canada: part 2

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for your concern! I'm glad that some of the members here asked me for my 'part 2' and they really wanted to know how my study in Canada was going. I'm happy to tell you that everything here seems to be going well. I'd like to share something new with you.

Getting used to the new environment

I've moved to another rented house which is near the hospital where I'm studying. So, I don't need to take the Metro (underground/subway) to the hospital every day. I'll never forget the day when I first went to the hosptital and talked to the chief of the department. She spoke English and asked me several questions, such as my study goals here, my work experiences. Thankfully, my English worked well and it turned out to be a nice talk or a successful interview. Montreal seems to be an amazing city. All the road signs are in French, which may make you feel as if you were living in France. But, actually, most of the citizens here are good at English, and this city has welcomed so many immigrants from around the world and different cultures. People here seem to be friendly and willing to help. I admit I felt a bit homesick and some stress during the first two weeks here. But, now I feel more comfortable and begin to get used to the new environment.

English in the hospital

I'm studying in the OR (operating room where surgeons perform surgery) right now. Most of the staff in this hospital speak English, even though they can switch easily from English to French. Surgeons in the OR may say: 'Can I have...?'; 'The light still sucks...Better now...thank you.'; 'Perfect.'; 'Do you want to take a look?'. I can understand most of what they say in English. But I sometimes did fail to understand them when they were mumbling or speaking fast, and I needed to say 'sorry?' often to get the picture. Sometimes I knew I missed something funny in the doctor's lounge because they were talking and laughing - they might be talking about their vacations, their daughters, latest news, or sports like golf. I'm trying to imitate the local accent - I found if I spoke with the accent, they could understand me more easily. Also, I'm trying to initiate more conversations with them to practice my speaking and listening skills - you bet it can be a challenge for learners to initiate one.

PS: I'm sorry for failing to include any photos, but I forgot to bring the wire with me and can't connect my camera to the computer.

Ah, my bad English brings a lot of embarrassment to me. I want to say one thing and people understand it as something else.

I said that I presumed that you're practicing in basic medical sciences doesn't mean that a surgeon can't join in this site. In today's world, English is essential for the survival. And everybody including surgeons need to learn it. I presumed so because I read one of your comments (I can't recall which one) and thought you're some involved in basic medical sciences.

In my country everybody has to study in English after passing out from 10th grade. Except for some arts classes, every subject specially the science subjects are in English. All the medical books are only available in English. Although the English used in medical books is always simple one and one don't needs a huge vocabulary to read them (medical terms are an exception because even native English speakers have to learn them if they opt to join a medical school). In my country, although the doctors take history from patients in their native language (here in my country there are many regional languages, each one totally different from other) but they have to write that history in English. There is no exception.

Also here the doctors who opt for post graduation in the fields like Anatomy and Physiology are called as doctors who practice in basic medical sciences, while the ones who go for the fields like Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology or Radiology are doctors practicing in clinical medical sciences.

So I want to explain that if someone is practicing in basic medical sciences is also a doctor. Hope this time you'd understand me well.

In short I didn't have any doubt that you're a doctor, but of course I didn't know that you're a surgeon.

You need to be a member of MyEnglishClub to add comments!

Join MyEnglishClub

Comments

Expector Smith May 16, 2011 1:45

Thanks for the comment, Grace! Actually, I'm planning to share some photos soon!
Grace May 15, 2011 11:10

Thanks for sharing us the part 2. I enjoy reading your blogs all the time.

Can you find something like Memory Card Adaptor in the store so that you also can show us your photos even you don't have wire on hand?
Expector Smith April 16, 2011 13:49

Hi Manuela,

Thanks for asking for the part 3! I'm glad you asked for it in such a great way - with a specific comment. You really made my day. Actually, I'm planning to work on it. Thanks again!
Forget-me-Not April 16, 2011 10:33

hello Expector, any part 3 in mind ?
Expector Smith April 9, 2011 1:03

Manuela

Thanks for the comment! I'm trying to share some photos with you all. Maybe I'll change my avatar with new picture. I know you travel so often and you're good at taking photos. And, thanks for asking for part 3. Have a nice weekend!
Forget-me-Not April 8, 2011 17:54

Ohhh, too bad we can not see some pictures, that would have been intersting ! I am so glad everyting is going fine for you and that you feel confortable with the place where you are. Yes, people from Quebec are great people, they have an open mind and there are used to foreigners.

I was there last year for a little more than 2 months and i found it easy to meet people and make friends. It's also nice to know that you're getting along very well with other surgeons. Sometimes, those who teach are sufficient whith those who learn !!! Particularly in the medical world... at least in Western Europe ! It's wonderful you have this opportunity to live such an intersting experience. Enjoy it ! Waiting for part 3 :))
Expector Smith March 24, 2011 0:58

Nadiyah

I'm glad you found this blog useful for you! It's possible that you may be studying abroad someday. That would be a precious experience for anyone what wants to excel at English. For me, it's a dream come true, and I'm trying to enjoy every day here. I should have uploaded some photos but failed to do so. I did take some photos here, though. I'm trying to connect my camera to my laptop. Hopefully, I'll share some photos with you in my next blog.
Nadiyah March 24, 2011 0:23

I hope your days of fun, and it becomes a valuable part of your life

your daily will be a note for me, maybe someday I'll deal with days as yours, thanks!

success for you ...

Almost forget something, could you share photos from there?

-Nadiyah-
Expector Smith March 23, 2011 23:48

@Tara

Yes, doctors are just regular people - they have emotions, they make silly jokes, they may even cry. I can understand most of the language they speak in the OR since we share the same specialty and I know what's going on. I can understand them well when I'm familiar with the topic we are talking about. And, thanks for the link to the page, which I alread read before I came here. I used to visit Englishclub.com, which is one of my favorite websites.

By the way, congratulations on the publication of your novel! It's really a dream come true. I can't wait to read it.

@selma

Thanks for the nice comment! Yes, we should try to find the beauty of everyday life and enjoy it, no matter how busy you are. Only too often, we forget to do so, though.

@nida

Thanks again for commenting! Don't get me wrong - actually, I enjoyed the comment so much. Thanks for sharing the medicine in your country. I saw a doctor here from your country, whose English is good and can effectively communicate with others in English. Is English your country's official language? Chinese doctors are accustomed to their own language - Mandarin. English is just their second language, which can be a weakness, especially when they need to communicate with doctors from other countries.
nida March 23, 2011 8:24

Ah, my bad English brings a lot of embarrassment to me. I want to say one thing and people understand it as something else.

I said that I presumed that you're practicing in basic medical sciences doesn't mean that a surgeon can't join in this site. In today's world, English is essential for the survival. And everybody including surgeons need to learn it. I presumed so because I read one of your comments (I can't recall which one) and thought you're some involved in basic medical sciences.

In my country everybody has to study in English after passing out from 10th grade. Except for some arts classes, every subject specially the science subjects are in English. All the medical books are only available in English. Although the English used in medical books is always simple one and one don't needs a huge vocabulary to read them (medical terms are an exception because even native English speakers have to learn them if they opt to join a medical school). In my country, although the doctors take history from patients in their native language (here in my country there are many regional languages, each one totally different from other) but they have to write that history in English. There is no exception.

Also here the doctors who opt for post graduation in the fields like Anatomy and Physiology are called as doctors who practice in basic medical sciences, while the ones who go for the fields like Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology or Radiology are doctors practicing in clinical medical sciences.

So I want to explain that if someone is practicing in basic medical sciences is also a doctor. Hope this time you'd understand me well.

In short I didn't have any doubt that you're a doctor, but of course I didn't know that you're a surgeon.

of 2

This reply was deleted.