Dear IMET2000 Team,

Participating in the OxPAL Summer School has been a valuable and transformative experience for me as a medical student at Al-Azhar University – Gaza. Having completed my third year of medical school, I joined the programme with the aim of expanding my academic perspective, developing new skills, and gaining experiences that would contribute to my future career in medicine. Throughout the programme, I had the opportunity to take part in a range of educational, practical, and interactive activities, including clinical skills examinations, group sessions, and a clinical placement. The clinical skills activities helped me develop a more structured approach to clinical assessment and increased my confidence when approaching different clinical scenarios. I also had the opportunity to attend a clinical placement for the first time, which was a particularly valuable experience. Being in a real clinical environment allowed me to observe healthcare professionals, see how they communicate with patients, and understand more clearly how medical knowledge and clinical skills are applied in practice. This experience was both useful and motivating and gave me a better understanding of what to expect from my future clinical training. The programme also encouraged me to work with others, exchange ideas, and learn from different perspectives. Through these experiences, I developed my communication, teamwork, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. They also reinforced my understanding that medicine involves much more than medical knowledge alone, and that empathy, professionalism, effective communication, and continuous learning are essential qualities for a good healthcare professional. The experience encouraged me to think beyond my immediate academic environment and broadened my understanding of the skills required for a career in medicine. It strengthened my motivation to continue my medical education, further develop my clinical and interpersonal skills, and pursue a career in which I can contribute positively to my community. I am deeply grateful to the OxPAL Summer School team and the organisations supporting this opportunity. The programme has contributed meaningfully to my personal, academic, and professional development, and I will carry the knowledge, skills, confidence, and experiences I gained with me throughout the remainder of my studies and into my future career as a doctor.

Noor K. M. Hussein

Medical Student

Al-Azhar University – Gaza