International Students at GBSH: Alia Jaboori from Norway

Background
32 years old
Norwegian
I started as a Biomedical scientist 10 years ago in a small town called Nordfjordeid in Norway and later moved back to Bergen, the second largest city. I have a background in blood transfusion services, blood banking and microbiology. As a biomedical scientist in Norway, you get the unique chance to work in the laboratory and interact with patients; an important part of our role is taking blood samples from patients. Bergen is one of the few places in Norway where the BMS still insists on having a leading role in phlebotomy in hospitals. We are responsible for running the sample and ensuring quality is met, which is why the samples we take from the patients will always have fewer pre-analytical errors and be of high quality. 
While most of my colleagues did not like the idea of taking samples from patients, it was my favourite part. I loved the interaction with the nurses, doctors and specially the patients, hearing their stories always made my day and gave me perspective in life. That’s when I started to feel that working in a routine laboratory was not something for me; I loved listening to people, finding creative solutions and learning about different healthcare systems. Since then, I have worked in research and development, I’ve worked in a medically supervised injection site for intravenous drug users, and I’ve worked on improving the quality of blood transfusion services in Nepal and Tanzania. I also gained a master’s degree in nutritional science, where I went back to Tanzania to do my fieldwork. 

Why did you choose to come and study at GBSH?
I’ve always felt like I could do more in terms of my job opportunities and somehow, I felt a bit stuck, I could see every day how healthcare is always behind in terms of leadership skills, technology and adaptability. Reading about GBSH, I understood that the world-class academia and the unique network they have combined would eventually lead me somewhere.  

First impression of UCL?
Professional and disruptive. I’m not saying this to repeat the slogan, but I have repeatedly seen evidence of the dynamic and strategic thinking that they implant everywhere. 

First impression of UCL East?
Central and sustainable. 

How are you finding the course so far?
It is challenging and has a heavy workload! But I am enjoying every moment. Every single person in our class has a unique and strong professional background, and I am really valuing their interactive behaviour in class, you can feel that these are future leaders and change makers. 

What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to study at GBSH?
If you want to understand what is happening behind the scenes in hospitals, health care systems, health technology companies or pharmaceutical companies and look at it from a global perspective, then just apply! You get to learn MBA skills and apply them by solving real-life case studies, from world-class academic professionals. 

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