This recording is part of the Medical English For You prototype series. Listen to the recording and follow the script below.
Dear Son, I know you’re far away for me, but it’s such a relief to me all the same that I can share my problems with you. It’s hard to live in a foreign country. Patients are patients, wherever you go. I feel quite anxious here whenever I see children. Their parents often seem suspicious, or sometime give me filthy looks because I’m a foreigner.
Even when I manage to get on the same wavelength as them, I still sense their prejudices. The culture of this country is so very different to ours. They’re always ready to make a complaint. That usually triggers a lengthy exchange of letters; it almost becomes a never ending court case.
It’s impossible to do my job properly if my patients don’t have confidence in me. I just hope things will get better with time.
Please let me know if you’ve heard back about your A-level results and entrance exam. Try to eat healthily and get some exercise.
Despite my mixed experience here in the UK, I wish you could spend at least a year at university here. Things may turn out better for you than they have for me, especially given your age.
If you’re planning to stay in student accommodation, don’t forget to get your flu and meningitis jabs well in advance.
Take care,
Dad
