“But you’re considered an alien, right?”––my sixth-grade history teacher adamantly repeated to me. I sat there quietly among my classmates, too stunned to speak out. My adoption papers said otherwise, but I understood his implication even at a young age. I did not fit. As a Korean adoptee who was raised in a tiny rustbelt city, I deeply value how it feels to find your fit among your peers, especially in medicine. As I completed my core clerkships, selecting my career path was an effortless choice. Rather than trying to fit into a specialty, I found that orthopaedic surgery fit me. Although I personally have an extensive orthopaedic history, I was ultimately driven to learn more about the field after my cousin’s ongoing journey with osteosarcoma as a college student. My cousin’s lasting bond with his orthopaedic oncologist transformed my understanding of humanistic and personalized care, especially as a surgeon. I resolved to create that same level of exceptional care for my patients. When I observed an internal hemipelvectomy for an invasive chondrosarcoma during my first year, I was totally engrossed by the complex anatomy, physical demand of the operation, and seemingly impossible physics of living without half a pelvis. I immediately sought out research opportunities. Because musculoskeletal oncology is a very limited service at my home program in Toledo, I pursued an external research year with Dr. Santiago Lozano Calderon at Massachusetts General Hospital within the Department of Orthopaedic Oncology to expand my career. My research year has provided a deeper insight into surgeon-scientists, clinical research process, and sharpened my ability to critical evaluate literature. As a lifelong learner, I have been determined to expand my quantitative analysis skills, and I taught myself several new programming languages during my research year. My projects have focused on surgical outcomes in patients with metastatic bone disease, as well as designing artificial intelligence calculators that predict systemic treatment responses for synovial sarcoma and pathologic fractures secondary to thyroid carcinoma. Research continues to teach me how to approach setbacks with creativity and how to work within a team. Throughout my undergraduate medical education, countless instances demanded teamwork. However, none captivated my interest like working together in the operating room. I loved the intense, quiet focus on the surgical field. I could tune out background clutter of the outside world, and all eyes were fixed on the problem at hand. Whether it was scrubbing into a complex revision arthroplasty or splinting a distal radius fracture, I quickly realized that I wanted a career where I could use my hands inside and outside of the OR. In many scenarios, patient problems were met with instant gratification, adding to my love of the field. Lastly, it is with immense excitement that I look forward to the next chapter of training as an orthopaedic surgery resident. I aspire to bring an unwavering dedication toward a growth mindset and a true passion for learning. I envision an academic career that blends clinical practice with research, and I am thrilled to explore everything a career in orthopaedic surgery has to offer. I am grateful to have found my calling, regardless of what my sixth-grade teacher thinks.