Lebanese University: "We're Official"
On April 19th, 2020, the Lebanese University has finally been named an official LeMSIC Local Committee. The local director, Alfred Chabbouh, and all the local officers were also appointed official after months of hard work and dedication.
By Alfred Chabbouh
Hectic. Eye-Opening. Anxiety inducing. Joyous. Worth every drop of sweat. If anyone asked me to describe this year in 5 short phrases, that would be my answer. I can vividly remember how keyed up and excited I was when I first saw the blue posters all over our faculty with the LeMSIC logo saying: “We’re visiting your faculty”.
To tell you the truth, I’ve always been jealous. Since my first year at university, my best friend kept telling me how amazing LeMSIC work is and how much fun she’s having; how there’s so much to learn. I remember helping her write a motivational letter and wondering, when, if ever, will I have the same opportunity as her. Fast-forward about 3 years after the first introductory meeting, and I am being chosen as an “unofficial LD”. The term started and it was a dive into the unknown. Everything was new and I didn’t know where to start.
That was when it all began, along with my legendary mini-EB, we set the tone for the whole year, and hopefully, for years to come. It wasn’t an easy task starting from scratch. It’s no secret that some buses were late, some misunderstandings happened, and some protocols felt like jumping through flaming hoops. We screwed up sometimes and we’re not ashamed. At the time, it felt like the end of the world but it was a chance to grow. Now, all I can say is that I am proud of what we have achieved. We have proven ourselves to be worthy of this chance that has been given to us. On April 19th, 2020, we became the 6th official Local Committee in LeMSIC.
Thank you LeMSIC for breathing life into a faculty where nothing but classes ever happened. It gave medical students the chance to finally become much more than knowledge robots. Instead, they’re also building their capacities, advocating for what is right, learning about essential matters our medical education fails to address, and most importantly, creating a community that is a driving force into a healthier world. LeMSIC members – we – are the catalysts of change.
I’m going to end this the only way I know how by using the same phrase I used in my motivational letter when I applied for LD: LeMSIC work is not, in a sense, an extracurricular activity but an essential complement to our medical education.
Expect us LU members to be alongside you on the frontlines. This is just the beginning.
Alfred Chabbouh, OFFICIAL LD-LU 19-20
