Motivation Letter Dear IFMSA Members, SCOPE Family, Half Brazilian and half Colombian, I had the honor to meet our Federation in 2012, as a first year medical student. By that time, the only international experience I had ever had was travelling to Colombia to visit my father’s family, where I spent one year of high school to improve my Spanish skills. After I came back to Brazil, I remember getting caught by the “post-exchange blues”. As I got to know its symptoms better, I identified myself with them on a deeper and stronger level. These include: 1) Talking constantly about your time abroad, 2) criticizing the way things are done back home, 3) being discouraged to leave home, because you don't feel like you fit in anymore, 4) feeling "stuck" or worried that you'll never have the chance to travel abroad again and 5) Always finding yourself planning your next trip. At this point, with four out of five symptoms, I met SCOPE. With an established diagnosis, I soon realized that the best treatment was to face the symptoms head on. If you are spending a lot of time looking into travel or opportunities abroad, be proactive and make them happen. That is why I applied for an exchange during my first year of studies. This international experience with IFMSA was remarkable because I had the chance to understand how our organization worked worldwide and I shared experiences with people that I identified myself with. I came back to Brazil, overly motivated, willing to bring back and implement all that I had learned. I knew then that I wanted to work for our exchanges. As Local Exchange Officer in IFMSA Brazil, I soon realized that I was passionate about making other people’s dreams of studying abroad come true. I found in IFMSA and in SCOPE my treatment. I am Rodrigo Enrique Roa, a 5th year medical student from Recife (Brazil), currently active in IFMSA as SCOPE Regional Assistant for the Americas 2015/2016. It is with a great pleasure that I invite you to read my official candidature for SCOPE Director 2016/2017.
Rodrigo Enrique Roa (Brazil) – Candidate for IFMSA SCOPE Director 2016-2017
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page”. Being NEO for Incomings was one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my life. Coordinating work on a national level requires both compromise and dedication, especially in a large NMO like IFMSA Brazil, with over than 80 Local Committees. During my term, I developed my soft skills as I attended General Assemblies, became an IFMSA Trainer, amongst others. I strived to make my NMO stronger by empowering our LEOs to engage in national discussions, sending all the Card of Acceptances on time, raising the quality of the SCOPE Sessions at our NGA and organized our one of a kind National Social Program (IFMSA Brazil’s BEACH Project). As a result of all of this hard work, at the AM2015, IFMSA Brazil’s Exchange Team was recognized by NEOs around the world, through a voting process in the NEO Report, as one of the three best Exchange teams in SCOPE. I believe that setting a good example is much more powerful than giving good advice. Last October, I applied to be part of the SCOPE International Team and got appointed as SCOPE RA for the Americas Region. It is a huge honor to be part of a team that I admired a lot as a NEO, especially for their commitment and devotion to our Standing Committee. My motivation for this term has always remained high and I have achieved and my goal of helping other NEOs to improve the Exchange Program in their countries. It has also been a lovely opportunity to share experiences with other IT members, seeing that they are all inspiring and hardworking. It is important to highlight that I am aware that this commitment requires a lot of dedication, hard work and passion. I believe that after an exciting and fulfilling career in SCOPE, I am ready to take on the challenges of Director. I want to continue the great work of my beloved Standing Committee and I believe that I can make a difference in the SCOPE we cherish. I thank you for taking the time to read my Motivation Letter. By supporting my candidature, you would be supporting my long lasting dream of making this world a more interconnected one for every medical student. You would also be giving me the great challenge of leading my amazing Standing Committee on Professional Exchanges. I am asking you to trust me, as I promise you that I will devote my time, passion, experience and teamwork skills into making our SCOPE, the SCOPE we all want.
Please feel free to contact me for any questions you might have. It will be my pleasure to answer you. Thank you and see you in México!
Rodrigo Enrique Roa SCOPE Director 2016-2017 Candidate
Rodrigo Enrique Roa (Brazil) – Candidate for IFMSA SCOPE Director 2016-2017
Plan of Action for SCOPE Director 2016-2017 Dear IFMSA Members, It’s with an enormous sense of commitment that I am proud to introduce you to my Plan of Action as SCOPE Director for the term 2016-2017. Below, I will present to you the main priorities of my work if elected. In case of any questions or remarks, feel free to contact me any time at rodrigoeroa@gmail.com . 1. SCOPE Strategic Plan During this term as a member of the SCOPE International Team, we worked on an Annual Working Plan for SCOPE. It was inspiring to see how, as the term passed by, we achieved most of our action points. After a year of consultations in IFMSA Meetings, I believe that one of the most important achievements from this term would be the development and adoption of the SCOPE Strategic Plan 2016-2019. This will guide the work of SCOPE and the International Team to achieve its long term strategic goals. Timeline for work: August 2016: Adoption of strategy 2016-2019 October 2016 - September 2017: First annual working plan based on Strategy 2016-2019 October 2017 - September 2018: Second annual working plan based on Strategy 2016-2019 October 2018 - September 2019: Third annual working plan based on Strategy 2016-2019 In order to ensure continuity in our work, I am committed to implement the initial execution of the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan. I will work on the development of an Annual Working Plan that will cover the main goals and guarantee a proper handover of what was done and what still needs to be done for the next term. 2.
Academic Quality
It is essential for all medical students going on exchange with SCOPE to have the highest quality program in order for them to improve their knowledge and skills, learn about global health, achieve accreditation and get support from their universities. For this reason, it is a priority for me to certify that all NMOS have the academic quality required in SCOPE Regulations. I would also identify and develop strategies to solve/improve this matter, recognizing its importance as the quality of our exchanges leads to our recognition in value and accreditation. Student Handbook Follow-up and review the developed Student Handbooks specific to departments, improving its use for the students. Educational Activities for exchange students (PDT/UAT/Workshops): Encourage NMOs to offer educational activities for exchange students. Promote organization of workshops for the Incomings to improve their cultural, medical and clinical knowledge. Increase the awareness of exchange students on Global Health Issues through these workshops.
Rodrigo Enrique Roa (Brazil) – Candidate for IFMSA SCOPE Director 2016-2017
Exchange Platform (database) Ensure that this electronic tool, responsible for facilitating the documentation of the exchange students and exchange of information between NEOs, is always in proper working and adequate to the needs of the SCOPE members. Guarantee an optimal use of contracts through initiatives such as Trilateral Exchanges assessing it functionality. Evaluation Form Data analysis Review the Evaluation Form statistics for each NMO and their progress. Assess the impact of exchanges on medical students through evaluation forms. 3.
Capacity Building
Regarding its importance to our work, this will be one of my main focus as Director. This term, the SCOPE International Team successfully implemented Training New Exchange Trainers workshops with Exchange Trainers graduating from different regions, raising our expertise in Exchange Trainings internationally. We can now focus on increasing the opportunities for Capacity Building in SCOPE through the organization of PRETs in all the Regions. Ensure the quality of training sessions and various official IFMSA events to empower national and local coordinators as well as future members in SCOPE activities. Build on the work done in Training New Exchange Trainers workshops, improving its accessibility around the world. Encourage NMOs to organize PRETs and follow up with them to ensure training quality along with the Exchange Trainers. Review the use of the Capacity Building database in which high standard materials for Exchange Trainings are provided to help NEOs with the preparations for their sessions/trainings. Update the Capacity Building database according to the evaluation data. Promote the NMO Sharing Folder creating an opportunity for NEOs to learn from others and take example of what they organize in other countries in order to do the same back home. 4.
External Representation
Recognition and Collaboration Assist NEOs in working with medical schools in their countries to recognize the SCOPE Exchanges as part of their students' formal training along with the SCOPE International Team. Work intensely with Liaison Officers to gain cooperation with externals partners and search for opportunities to increase the awareness of our activities. Get official recognition of our exchanges by other organizations and universities. Update the list of universities supporting their medical students’ exchange program. Improve collaboration with other relevant organizations and youth exchange networks, in order to share capacity, practices and improve visibility. Promotion of Exchanges Promote the use of IFMSA Youtube Playlist of NMOs Promotional videos; Encourage the use of the Exchanges Profile Book and translated versions, Promotional video, and SCOPE Flyers, assuring that it clearly explain the strengths
Rodrigo Enrique Roa (Brazil) – Candidate for IFMSA SCOPE Director 2016-2017
5.
and advantages of the IFMSA Exchange Program and sharing it with external partners and universities Collect exchange student reports and share it in our a public database to be consulted on ifmsa.org
Team building and NMO Involvement
Working as Committee Director is all about teamwork. I strongly believe that Exchange Officers are the backbone of our SCOPE work, seeing that without their National and Local efforts we would not move forward. For this reason, to become SCOPE Director, it is vital to have someone capable to manage intercultural teams in many different levels such as NEOs, SCOPE IT and Team of Officials. SCOPE IT Involve International Team Members in the development of our Annual Working Plan. Assist Regional Assistants and the General Assistant to produce their own Plan of Action for their activities/region, designed by themselves according to the Annual Working Plan. Support the attendance of International Members to official SCOPE events (SCOPE Sessions GAs, PRETs, TNETs). Create a sense of belonging within the SCOPE International Team in order to keep motivation high throughout the term. NEOS
Stay approachable and actively communicating with every NEO by having personal meetings with them, and always being dedicated and available to their concerns with the help of the SCOPE International Team. Increase the involvement and participation of NEOs in our activities with the help of a motivated SCOPE IT. Empower less active NMOs by encouraging them to attend IFMSA Meetings, fundraise and get involved in our discussions.
New NMOs Actively recruit Exchange Officers of non-active in SCOPE NMOs in order to activate them. Assist and provide as much support as possible to NMOs new to SCOPE in collaboration with the appropriate Regional Assistant.
Rodrigo Enrique Roa (Brazil) – Candidate for IFMSA SCOPE Director 2016-2017
Curriculum Vitae Rua Antonio de Sa Leitao Recife, Pernambuco, 51020090 +5581997025166 facebook.com/rebrs rodrigoeroa@gmail.com
RODRIGO ENRIQUE BRITO ROA SARMIENTO PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name: Rodrigo Enrique Brito Roa Sarmiento Birth: 21/02/1994 Gender: Male Marital Status: Single NMO: IFMSA Brazil
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE IN SCOPE
MEDICAL DEGREE, PERNAMBUCO’S HEALTH FACULTY (RECIFE, BRAZL):
2012-2017: 5th year medical student
Expected graduation date: December 2017.
LOCAL EXCHANGE OFFICER - RECIFE – IFMSA BRAZIL From 01/2012 to 10/2014 MEMBER OF THE IFMSA BRAZIL’S NATIONAL EXCHANGE TEAM (NEO ASSISTANT) From 10/2013 to 10/2014 NATIONAL EXCHANGE OFFICER FOR INCOMINGS From 10/2014 to 12/2015 SCOPE REGIONAL ASSISTANT FOR THE AMERICAS From 10/2015 to currently working.
Rodrigo Enrique Roa (Brazil) – Candidate for IFMSA SCOPE Director 2016-2017
IFMSA MEETINGS
National General Assemblys 43th IFMSA Brazil National General Assembly – Recife/PE 45th IFMSA Brazil National General Assembly – Marília/SP 46th IFMSA Brazil National General Assembly – Teresina/PI 47th IFMSA Brazil National General Assembly – Vila Velha/ES 48th IFMSA Brazil National General Assembly – Natal/RN International General Assemblys 64th IFMSA General Assembly March Meeting – Antalya, Turkey 64th IFMSA General Assembly August Meeting – Ohrid, Macedonia 65th IFMSA General Assembly March Meeting – Saint Paul’s bay, Malta International Regional Meetings Americas Regional Meeting 2016 - Uruguay TNTs/Workshops TNT: Ohrid, Macedonia (2015) TNTs/TNETs/Workshops as Trainer: TNT: Recife/PE, Brazil (2015) TNT: Belém/PA, Brazil (2016) TNET Trainer at PreGA México 2016 PRET PRET Paraguay (2016) as a Trainer PRET/“Global Health within Exchanges” Pre-RM Uruguay, 2016
IFMSA EXCHANGES
SCORE EXCHANGE – POLAND/JULY 2013 SCOPE EXCHANGE – FRANCE/JANUARY 2015
LANGUAGES
- Portuguese (Native) - Spanish (Native) - English (Fluent) - French (Intermediate) - German (Beginner)
HOBBIES
I love playing football. I play every Tuesday at 18h Brazilian time.
Rodrigo Enrique Roa (Brazil) – Candidate for IFMSA SCOPE Director 2016-2017