Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

reiii · 04-27-2005, 08:42 PM

So I'm a college undergraduate, and I want to be an M.D. or possibly a researcher (P.H.D/M.D.). This semester I decided to do the responsible thing and get into a real lab and get some experience. I landed a job with a islet cell researcher, and I was incredibly psyched to get involved with real cutting edge research. The principle investigator really hooked me in with an inspirational speach about how he wants to give his undergraduates valuable lab skills. He tells me that in two years I should have my own project, and possibly my own paper. There was only one catch: my mentor, the man I am to spend all my time with, the venerable M.D./P.H.D. Zhungyi Chan, only speaks "pretty good" English.

Dr Chan does not speak pretty good english. I would be surprised if he could order food from a restraunt or get directions to a public bathroom when in the general public.

Over the past few months, I've been incredibly conflicted. Chan is a really nice man. He works extremely hard, and is always affable. He's tried his best to include me in his research, but the language barrier is insurmountable. The language of science is universal, but only in the sense that it universally confuses the crap out of everyone. Now imagine, trying to learn an entirely new set of vocabulary while having to mentally reverse every L and R in your head. "The prolein Rusiferase Leacts"

The moral of the story is I haven't learned much science under the tutelage of Dr Chan. I've learned some lab techniques by mimicking his demonstrations, but I have effectively hit a wall. I think my P.I. is to blame.

I think these emails at the end of my semester with Chan sums up our relationship well:

> Dr. Chan,
> I have to start studying for finals, and then I must return home for
> summer. I will hopefully be back next year. Thanks for including me in your
> research.
>
> Thanks again,
> Reiii

His response:

>Welcome your back.
>
>Thanks
>
>Zhungyi

My back has never felt more welcome, but I'm still frustrated. Anyone else have a similar story?

04-27-2005, 08:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
reiii unstuck in time Location: Nashville/D.C.	On (lab) work and the language barrier So I'm a college undergraduate, and I want to be an M.D. or possibly a researcher (P.H.D/M.D.). This semester I decided to do the responsible thing and get into a real lab and get some experience. I landed a job with a islet cell researcher, and I was incredibly psyched to get involved with real cutting edge research. The principle investigator really hooked me in with an inspirational speach about how he wants to give his undergraduates valuable lab skills. He tells me that in two years I should have my own project, and possibly my own paper. There was only one catch: my mentor, the man I am to spend all my time with, the venerable M.D./P.H.D. Zhungyi Chan, only speaks "pretty good" English. Dr Chan does not speak pretty good english. I would be surprised if he could order food from a restraunt or get directions to a public bathroom when in the general public. Over the past few months, I've been incredibly conflicted. Chan is a really nice man. He works extremely hard, and is always affable. He's tried his best to include me in his research, but the language barrier is insurmountable. The language of science is universal, but only in the sense that it universally confuses the crap out of everyone. Now imagine, trying to learn an entirely new set of vocabulary while having to mentally reverse every L and R in your head. "The prolein Rusiferase Leacts" The moral of the story is I haven't learned much science under the tutelage of Dr Chan. I've learned some lab techniques by mimicking his demonstrations, but I have effectively hit a wall. I think my P.I. is to blame. I think these emails at the end of my semester with Chan sums up our relationship well: > Dr. Chan, > I have to start studying for finals, and then I must return home for > summer. I will hopefully be back next year. Thanks for including me in your > research. > > Thanks again, > Reiii His response: >Welcome your back. > >Thanks > >Zhungyi My back has never felt more welcome, but I'm still frustrated. Anyone else have a similar story? __________________ "Jombe? The chocolate icing" -hedonism bot Last edited by reiii; 04-27-2005 at 08:54 PM..