Episode 5: Ophthalmology Fellowship series – Nizar Din – Corneal Fellowship in Canada

Are you an ophthalmologist trainee considering the path of an international fellowship? Navigate the profound personal and professional journey of pursuing training abroad, including facing unexpected challenges like a global pandemic.

In this episode of EyeConnect, a podcast series featuring conversations between healthcare professionals to support learning, host Mr. Johnson Neo speaks with Nizar Din, a consultant ophthalmologist specialising in cornea and external eye disease at the Imperial Eye Hospital in London. Nisar shares his extensive training experience, focusing on his decision to pursue an international fellowship in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Insights into the ophthalmology training pathway and the motivation behind seeking overseas fellowship opportunities
• How early preparation is crucial for applying to competitive international fellowship programmes
• The significant logistical hurdles involved, such as obtaining visas and university registration, especially when complicated by lockdown restrictions and virtual processes
• The intense personal challenges faced when moving to a new country during a pandemic, including mandatory quarantine, finding unfurnished accommodation, isolation, and the absence of a familiar support network
• Strategies for making the most of such an experience by actively developing skills beyond clinical work, including teaching, academic pursuits, management, and leadership, leading to achievements like publications and taking on roles such as chief fellow
• The financial realities of international fellowships, which can be a significant burden due to potentially low salaries and high living costs, highlighting the importance of preemptive financial planning, seeking scholarships, or taking loans
• Practical aspects of reintegrating into the UK ophthalmology community after being overseas, including maintaining visibility and staying in contact with colleagues

Listen now to gain valuable insights into the complexities and unexpected rewards of undertaking an overseas ophthalmology fellowship.