Fellowship Away from Home: A Journey toward Advancing the Current Practice of Reconstructive Surgery in Ethiopia

Abstract

It has been declared by many and mentioned in number of ways that our achievements and impacts in life are significantly dependent on the type of journey that we choose to take and how further and better we travel on that chosen journey. Likewise, there is an Ethiopian quote which says “When you go further on a life journey, you will encounter with thousands of opportunities”. In the same spirit as the above quote; a plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at Asan Medical Center allowed me to travel further on the fascinating journey of reconstructive surgery. A journey which is very much unique and un-attempted by many plastic surgeons living in the part of the world where I come from; Africa. On this expedition I happen to encounter with a number of opportunities to be exposed to a variety of knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding reconstructive surgery. An opportunity to challenge myself into acquiring of new sets of skills and practices in plastic and reconstructive surgery in general and reconstructive microsurgery in particular. An opportunity to meet and create network with a number of prominent figures in the field of reconstructive surgery. An opportunity to get exposed to new language, culture and weather conditions. All the opportunities that I encountered by going further on the highway of reconstructive surgery is made possible due to this fellowship.