Iowa, memories

I regret not writing about Iowa, I forget the details.

Interview with Chief Resident: he told me that Ive done well for myself to come this far, that I should be proud of myself.

Pros:
-H1B
-2m intro to anesth in PGY1: 1m didactics, 1m 'two headed intern' rotation. Two interns in the OR, 1 attending
-No call first few months CA1
-Night float system for all days
-Incredible Sim lab, frequent frequent simulations. Residents create sim modules for anesth practice
-lots of protected didactics
-full support when presenting a paper outside
-lots of in house research
-Iowa city
-residents are so nice... bend over backwards to support each other
-residency sponsored 'party fund': Drinking.bowling
-The only fellowships they dont have is OB and Peds.
-During lunch a PGY1 walked up to me and said 'I know you like to read, I saw that in your profile, did you know about the Iowa Writers Workshop?' Then we talked about Abraham Verghese. I was so touched/impressed by the sincerity of his interaction with me. I was taken aback that he actually bothered to read my profile. He had the most empathetic, soulful eyes ever. His eyes. Oh my god, I'd want my doctor to have those eyes. So understanding, gentle and full of pain. Like he had experienced a lot of pain in his life and all he wanted to do now was to find other people in pain and then take the pain away. It was incredible.

He walked away, said: I have to go back to my room now.
He came back 2 minutes later, said: If you ever want to come back for a second look, don't get a hotel. My wife and I would be happy to have you stay for a few nights. When I was interviewing, I remember that the chief resident offered me the same thing. I understand how tough interview season is, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.
He wrote his email address for me and left again. I loved it. I LOVED IT. This is the kind of environment I want to train in.

-3 hours from Chicago
-At the moment, this is the best interview I've had, reputation wise.
-They gave us all an Iowa Anesth mug filled with chocolate at the end of the day.
-International electives!


Cons
-Current PGY1 year seems all married
-Not many indians
-Iowa city

I believe a part of me was influenced by the attention I got from AP the night before when we talked about the program. Out of all the places I'm interviewing at, this is the only place that he seemed to have heard of. Granted, this is probably because he focused on the Mid West only.

-'Iowa is great! Good research, great didactics. Its not far from Chicago. I know people that interviewed there, they liked it'  and 'U Iowa is a well respected institution'
Now when someone from Northwestern says a certain program is great, and that they have friends (presumably from Northwestern too) that interviewed there, it automatically raises the bar in my head. So now I'm thinking, Iowa has to be awesome if northwestern is interviewing there.

Iowa told me in the interview that they do not normally invite too many foreign students to interview. So I guess they think I deserve it if they invited me.