International Lecture Experience - UAA 2018

Millenials were always accused of not seeing the big picture, focusing on the goal and not seeing the process towards that goal.  And this was the explanation given why lots of Millenials quit on their chosen field.

I'm a millenial if based on its defined year I was born.  So here, being a millenial I would like to share the journey towards this experience I had.

Before I start with anything I would like to give my sincerest gratitude to UAA 2018.  For me, UAA will always hold a very special place in my heart.  It's UAA convention when I first experienced attending an international convention last year (UAA 2017).  And now, UAA has yet again given me one of most unforgettable experience again, being able to give a lecture in an international setting.

To give you a brief overview, I was chosen as one of few residents all over Asia to give a 10 minute lecture in the AURC (Asian Urology Residency Course) which was held last April 15-17, 2018 in Kyoto, Japan.

It all started with me submitting a research paper for presentation in UAA, then luckily it was accepted for unmoderated poster presentation.  Afterwhich, I received a call from PURA (Philippine Urology Residents Association) president if I would like to attend the the AURC since I'm going there already to present my research paper anyways.  According to them, the course itself and hotel during the AURC will be sponsored by UAA itself.

After lots of asking permission and getting scolded from my consultants, I was eventually allowed to attend UAA. (Why scolded? Don't ask, I still don't get it either, basta napagalitan ako). So with much help from my parents, I was able to book a plane ticket and find a place to stay in Japan.

3 weeks before the AURC date, one of the residents who was chosen to attend UAA also said to me, "Di ba maglelecture ka?" (Isn't it you will give a lecture?), I said, "HA?! San?! Kelan?! Bakit di ko alam?!" (What?! Where?! When?! Why don't I know about it?".  Then he said, "Meron sa AURC Program, nakita ko name mo." (It's written in the AURC program, I saw your name).  And I checked online, and he was right, I was chosen as a lecturer! And so I panicked, then I realized, hey, this is great honor and experience also.

2 weeks before the AURC, I received an email stating that I indeed was a lecturer and I'm to give a 10 minute lecture with the topic:

So I was excited and scared at the same time.  I then messaged my consultant, Dr Letran to ask help, and advice in giving lectures.  Luckily the topic was urooncology and among our consultants, he has the most experience in giving lectures internationally and locally.  I asked for tips as well on how to give effective lectures.  I was lucky that he was more than willing to help me, checking my slides, asking me to give mock presentations in front of all our urology consultants.

Also since I received this task and assignment during the Holy Week, I did my research and studied for this during the Holy Week (yes, sacrifices had to be made).  I downloaded the 2 original research trials and some meta analysis etc etc. 

Then when I arrived in Japan, since I'm staying in AIRBNB, I studied how to get to the AURC site.  Studied how to commute by subway, train etc. 1 day before the scheduled lecture, I then checked in in the sponsored hotel.  

On the day of the lecture, I was amazed to see so many residents from all over Asia!

Few hours before the said lecture, I had loose watery stools (aka: diarrhea), I couldn't listen to the previous lectures before me as well.  I was so nervous, when I submitted my powerpoint to the computer, I was instructed that of how to operate the buttons to proceed to the next slide.  I asked, "Is there a presenter's view?" (because my script is on the presenter view).  She said, "No, no presenter's view."  Then I panicked! Thinking, "Oh no... I need the presenter's view."  So I just got hold of a printed copy of my report (luckily I printed it) and I wrote my script there in the paper.

So after my lecture, I received an applause from the audience.  "Was it a good lecture?" I thought, anyways, I was glad it was over.  And take note, the diarrhea magically disappeared.

After the series of lectures, a resident from Malaysia, approached me, "That was a very good lecture, it's easy to understand, the two trials." I said, "thank you".  And I received some comments from other residents as well saying it was a very good lecture.  Either they're being kind or it was really a good lecture. Hahahaha.

So here's my 1st international lecture experience.  Hope I was able to show you how it felt like.

Special thanks to my fellow Filipino urology residents, for taking the picture during the lecture.

PS: Some may say I'm doing the "humble" brag.  A new term they connote for those who like to posts saying #blessed when in reality they're really bragging about themselves.  Well, whatever your interpretation, all I know is I was really thankful of this experience, and I'm really proud of it.