“I feel like I’m creating some of my best memories at Pacific.”
IDS Class of 2009
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Reason for Choosing Pacific: This school provided more hands-on clinical experience
Future Career Plans: Private practice
A graduate of Fatima Jinnah Dental College in Karachi, Pakistan, Erum Makhani's interest in dentistry began when she was just 16 years old. An honor student with a creative mind, Erum always wanted to find a career that offered a balance between the arts and sciences.
"The creativity involved with dentistry really appealed to me," Erum says. "A dentist needs to have scientific knowledge, but at the same time needs an artistic touch to create a beautiful, healthy smile."
Erum decided to apply to Pacific in 2006, to join her husband, who was working Palo Alto, California. Now enrolled in the International Dental Studies Program, Pacific's two-year program for foreign-trained dentists, Erum says the dental school is starting to feel more like home. And that's no easy accomplishment considering she had never lived outside of her home country of Pakistan prior to attending Pacific.
"The friendly environment here allowed me to adjust quickly," Erum says. "But it was a culture shock at first. The city, the people, the teaching methodologies and the competitive environment were all new to me. But now, I feel like I'm creating some of my best memories at Pacific."
Having adjusted to life as a dental student in the U.S., Erum is enjoying her interaction with patients during clinical rotations. And despite the rigorous program, Erum appreciates the opportunity to study techniques that she wouldn't have been exposed to otherwise.
"The practice of dentistry is very different in Pakistan because we don't have all the same materials and equipment," Erum says. "Experiencing the different varieties of materials and techniques here has made me more confident than ever. This is a strong affirmation that I've made the right choice for my career."
After graduation, Erum would like to become an associate in a private dental practice for a few years before pursuing an orthodontic specialty. Erum and her husband, Asif, live in San Jose.
