Over There

Robert Schoenfeld, M..D.
AuthorHouse (2009)
ISBN 9781449030711
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (07/10)


No one ever said going to medical school would be easy, and this was the case of Dr. Robert Schoenfeld.  There are very few slots in prestigious hospitals for medical students, but Dr. Schoenfeld found a true friend and mentor in Dr. Skylar.  Although he often found Dr. Skylar’s mannerisms strange, Robert found that this Jewish man inspired him and made him try to move to an area he might not be comfortable with - that is, going overseas to a country one knows nothing about, especially the language and try to finish his medical work.

I don’t know about you, but I remember when my husband was in the military and we were stationed in Germany. Talk about a cultural shock! It took time to acclimate as it does with Robert. Where to live? How to understand professors that you thought would speak in English, but didn’t, learning a new language and cultural differences.

What was best about this reading is that the author put you in his life at that time, the struggles, his thoughts of just giving up and his determination to overcome all obstacles. The author has great humor, knows his shortcomings and yet will overcome them all. He will take you through a journey of his time in Switzerland - his friends, studying or not, and his girlfriend.  He will describe his numerous trips home to see his family and death that affected him. There are beautiful pictures of his time in Europe- many of us can only imagine.

I believe that one of the most important messages that Dr. Schoenfeld gives readers in “Over There” is: Don’t give up on your dreams and aspirations. Life is full of obstacles- how hard do you want this?

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