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My Journey

 It all started with a decision.

In everyone’s life be it someone who is in a medical field or any other there comes a time where that decision could change the outcome of your life. If you take that decision it would change the very course of where your life will head.

For some it is their personal life choice, for some, it's their professional choice, and for some, it's both. It is important we understand what our decisions will mean and what will be its long-term outcome.

I have come across this question, and someone asked me. Why do you want to move to the UK? And I answered I want to be better than who I am now? 1 year in the UK have I really achieved what I set out to? I am not sure.

So, starting off, I am Farhan, I lived my early life in Saudi, lived in Karachi Pakistan for 6 years after completing my internship. I moved back to Saudi.

I worked for 2 years in a private hospital and worked for 5 years in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Haematology. I still describe those years as the best years of my life. I was taught Haematology and topics which I felt were too difficult became easy. I enjoyed working there, made some great friends, and probably a part of me still think that those people are my family.

So Why I moved to the UK?

Interesting question, I did my MRCP-Ireland while I was in Saudi. It was a difficult thing to do honestly and there are multiple reasons for that which probably I will talk about it in my later blogs.

The main reason was career growth, I wanted to progress in my career, but the doors weren’t easy to open although I had family and a good support system, my choice was between staying where I am and staying at junior post vs moving to the UK with an option to grow. I chose the latter. My department people were amazing, and they tried their best but it's just how things were. I still hold them in high regard. I consider Abo-Khalid as my brother and always take his advice. 

It was a difficult decision, I met with resistance, a lot of resistance!! It was a long difficult decision. Life was bumpy but eventually, the decision was done, I moved halfway around the world to Northern Ireland in a city called Londonderry, or as the local people call it the city of Derry.

It’s a lovely city with tons of history with the nicest people. I must admit I loved how the people were there. Being an Asian I never felt alone, as people there were really supportive. Specially Zafar Bhai (Consultant Radiology) and Muneeb Bhai (Consultant Acute Medicine).  Sadaqat Bhai was my support.

I spent a good 4 months there. Although I loved the city, but I moved again with a lot of lessons learned to Preston where I currently work.

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