Leaving Home, Finding Community: One WAUSM Student’s Journey to Medicine

Growing up, Western Atlantic University School of Medicine student Seth Gonzalez witnessed his mother battle pain and illness. As a child, he felt powerless to help her, but he saw how doctors were able to reduce her pain and give her life back to her. Later, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. That firsthand exposure with the medical field left a lasting impact on Gonzalez, planting the idea at a young age that he wanted to help others and provide relief to those suffering.

Family reinforced that sense of purpose.

“I grew up always around family; they are the people who have shaped me the most, especially my grandparents,” Gonzalez said.

His grandparents are originally from Mexico, and they taught Gonzalez how to be a respectful and hard-working person.

“My grandfather used to work in the fields, picking strawberries, watermelon, and other fruits when he first came to the U.S.,” he said. “He’s always taught me about hard work.”

Leaving Home for Medical School

Gonzalez didn’t initially imagine himself moving outside of the United States for medical school. A conversation shifted his perspective.

“When I was doing my applications for medical school, I never once thought about the Caribbean islands,” he said. “It was a doctor that I was working for who suggested searching for schools here.”

The suggestion set off a series of events that changed the course of his life. Gonzalez received a call from WAUSM’s admissions team. After the call, Gonzalez applied and was eventually admitted to WAUSM.

Given his close family ties, Gonzalez admitted that it was difficult for him to move to a new country at first; however, it wasn’t long before he started to feel like WAUSM was becoming a second home.

“My cohort class and my peers made it easier,” said Gonzalez. “There is a strong sense of family here that helps me.”

Finding Community and Academic Support at WAUSM

While the welcoming community at WAUSM made the initial transition easier, new academic challenges emerged.

“The summative exam in semester one was a humbling awakening,” said Gonzalez. “I started utilizing the Peer Learning Partner sessions that WAUSM offers. Learning from the upper classmen helped me see where I was lacking in my studies.”

Through the challenges, Gonzalez looks to his brother as a source of pride and inspiration.

“He was diagnosed with a high-functioning form of autism, Aspergers, which made things more difficult for him when he was a kid,” said Gonzalez.

Despite those challenges, his brother never stopped pushing forward.

“He always shoots for his goals and achieves them no matter how difficult it is for him,” he said. “He showed me what true resilience really is, and he’s going to be going to medical school soon.”

Outside of the classroom, Gonzalez has found his community at WAUSM.

“I love hanging out with my friends at the beach,” he said. “Every Friday, we all go to the beach and play volleyball. Always a highlight of my week.”

Through family, friends, and academic support offered at WAUSM, Gonzalez is overcoming challenges and making strides toward his lifelong goal of becoming an MD.