Mornings begin with the comforting routine of gathering around the table, where we share a meal, bond, and discuss our plans for the day. My parents, always there with guidance and care, and my older brother with his experience and mentorship set the tone, ensuring that we are prepared for whatever lies ahead. It’s a scene that has played out in my life countless times, growing up in two different countries, and now, in a different kind of home, the MGH/McLean Psychiatry Residency Program.
I had heard of the program’s excellence, but what I didn’t expect was how quickly it would feel less like just a workplace and more like a family—something that has been particularly meaningful to me as an IMG far from home. Here, the Program Directors and attendings take on the roles of parents in this new family. The PD team, much like my father, provides steady guidance and clear expectations, pushing us to grow and reach our potential. There’s a firm, yet tender hand that holds an understanding that their goal is our success. Meanwhile, the faculty offered the kind of care and support I received from my mother. They listen, care, comfort, and gladly dedicate all their time to teaching you. My co-residents, like my older brother offer mentorship, sharing their experiences and helping me find my path.
Building on this familial support, I was further amazed by the level of care and attention extended to me from the very start. During my first month, I was assigned three dedicated mentors, each reaching out constantly, not just discuss my progress but to genuinely check in on how I was feeling and adjusting to this new phase of my career. It is very clear to me that this support I’ve received is not just a formality, but a core part of the program’s commitment to a phrase I’ve heard multiple times here “Never worry alone”.
Reflecting on these first months of starting residency, I realize that the sense of family has been just one dimension of what has made this experience so transformative. In truth, every conversation during these few months, from staffing patients to casual conversations during lunch, has been a learning experience filled with opportunities to grow, both as a clinician and as a person. The knowledge, skills, and insights I’ve gained, the clinical expertise shared by my attendings, all the tips and tricks passed down by senior residents, have all contributed to an intense, yet deeply rewarding, learning curve. Starting residency is definitely scary, but in this program, it is also immediately rewarding.
As I look forward to the coming years, I am eager to continue growing within this incredible program. My decision to join MGH/McLean has already proven to be one of the best I’ve ever made, and I am incredibly excited about undergoing this new journey with my newfound family.
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