ISABELLE B

ISABELLE B.
Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
Undergraduate Medicine

An interview with alumna, Isabelle B. – October 30th, 2022

Question: Can you give a short account of your music journey in college and what music has done for you thus far?

When I was in Highschool I enjoyed playing the piano and listening to classical music. The thought of majoring in music crossed my mind but I never considered it seriously because I thought I was not capable of doing it. Plus, I wanted to go to medical school. So, when the time came, I choose to major in Biomedical Science. When I arrived on campus, I immediately went to the music building to find a practice room with a piano. While I was practicing one day I hear a knock on the door, it was the director of the music program. He tells me “I heard you practicing, you should be a music major”. I explain to him that I plan on going to medical school and my major is biomedical science. He then explains that I don’t need a science degree to go to medical school and that I can major in anything as long as I take the prerequisites. The next morning, I went to the registration office and changed my major to music. I was a Biomedical Science major for exactly 4 days. One thing music has done for me is to increase my confidence. When I first started college, I lacked confidence and had terrible stage fright. Performing music throughout my undergrad year, slowly built my confidence as a person and a musician.

Question: How did the RHFA scholarship trip to Verbier benefit you?

The RHFA scholarship to Verbier is responsible for putting me where I am today. When I arrived in Verbier. I instantly fell in love. Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Switzerland and getting to attend information packed master classes, plus the awesome opportunity of being able to attend concerts performed by world-class musicians, was a strong source of inspiration and encouragement. I sat in concert halls with pianists that I grew up listening to. The musical confidence boost I got from being there is astronomical.

Attending the festival opened my eyes to the rest of the world. The world is so big and the possibilities are endless. A great lesson I would like to share is ‘don’t ever keep your mind in a cage, open it and chase new experiences and possibilities’. I enjoyed being in Europe so while I was there, I thought to myself “maybe, I should apply to medical school here” so that is what I did. I did some research and applied, and by the grace of God, I was accepted. I now attend medical school in Ireland. I would not be here if it was not for the trip to Verbier, and I would have never been able to go to Verbier if it was not for the RHFA scholarship. I will continue to keep my mind open to new possibilities and continue to play the piano. I encourage everyone to step up and apply for the foundation’s Study Abroad Program, you never know how it will impact your life

Question: Now that you are in the career path of medical school, are you able to still keep your love of music close to your heart?

The answer is YES!! Currently, I am in medical school, and God-willing I will graduate and become a physician. However, classical music is my first love, and I will always hold it very close and dear to my heart. Although medical school is very demanding and time-consuming, I still make time to play the piano. I’ve found some practice rooms on campus, and I continue to practice old and learn new pieces. I attend concerts. And classical music is basically the only thing I listen to. I’m even the pianist for a local church choir. I’m always looking for new ways to integrate classical music into my life. Music makes life meaningful.