Published: 26 July 2024
Tuesday 30 July is International Friendship Day. To mark the day, Chanceeth Chandrakanthan, Physician Associate alumnus, shares the story of the friendship made while St George’s student and how it has endured to the present day.
August will mark 10 years of our friendship.
- Chanceeth Chandrakanthan, Physician Associate alumnus -
Chanceeth Chandrakanthan began studying Physician Associate studies at St George’s in 2014 and has since moved into the Physician Associate course team at the university.
On the friendships he made as a student, Chanceeth says, “I met Cassim, Luke and Alex [pictured left to right with Chanceeth furthest right], and we quickly became very good friends.
The Physician Associates course was incredibly challenging, so having supportive friends was essential.
- Chanceeth Chandrakanthan, Physician Associate alumnus -
We frequently met to study, constantly testing each other, and also took time to relax, often playing pool in the Students’ Union. A memorable highlight was a game we invented during revision sessions whereby an incorrect answer meant eating a bizarre concoction, such as jelly babies dipped in Tabasco and ketchup. These sessions were not only fun but also extremely effective. They were the key to our success, as we all passed our exams and qualified as Physician Associates. We did, however, stop eating jelly babies."
Even after graduation, we have remained in close contact. We have travelled together to places like Thailand and Vietnam as well as several destinations in Europe. We ensure we meet up once or twice a month to catch up and have shared many great nights out – we’re always keen to try new restaurants. More importantly, they were my groomsmen at my wedding which took place three years ago.
- Chanceeth Chandrakanthan, Physician Associate alumnus -
10 years later
“Next month will mark ten years of our friendship, and October will celebrate eight years of our careers as Physician Associates. Amidst the current challenges faced by the Physician Associate profession, I am grateful for their friendship and support which helps me stay focused as both a healthcare professional and a Physician Associate educator here at St George's, University of London.
St George’s is an exceptionally warm and friendly university. The welcoming environment, coupled with well-designed study spaces and a vibrant Students’ Union, significantly contributed to both academic success and personal well-being.
- Chanceeth Chandrakanthan, Physician Associate alumnus -
“The study spaces provided the perfect setting for collaborative revision, while the Students’ Union offered a space where we could relax and unwind together such as playing pool or having drinks. These shared experiences not only helped us academically but also fostered strong friendships, making St George’s a truly supportive and community-oriented place to study.
“Looking back, my advice to students about forming and maintaining lasting friendships during their university years is to actively engage with your peers both academically and socially.
The secret for a lifelong bond
The key to lasting friendships is to invest time in both studying together and enjoying social activities together, as these connections provide invaluable support and enrich both your personal and professional life during and after graduating from university.
- Chanceeth Chandrakanthan, Physician Associate alumnus -