Franklin & Marshall student Faisal Niazi ’27 spent his summer in Lancaster, learning to be an EMT through an internship with Harrisburg Area Community College and Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health. The future surgeon said he appreciated the opportunity to make an important difference in someone’s life at a vulnerable moment, and that is what motivated him to complete the training. 

Niazi’s journey to F&M was anything but typical. He relocated to Lancaster at age 17 with his parents after fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Faisal Niazi ’27

• Intended major/minor: Biology (pre-med) and religious studies double major, computer science minor
• Hometown: Kabul, Afghanistan
• Activities on campus: Soccer club, Muslim Student Association co-president, F&M EMS member, Bonchek College House Congress programming committee, Archery Society member
• Summer experience funding: Rackow Kaminsky Endowed Fellowship for Pre-Health Students

Describe your summer experience. What was a typical day like? 

During my summer EMT training, a typical day started early at 8 a.m., with hands-on practical sessions and theoretical classes, and ended at 5 p.m. We focused on emergency medical techniques like CPR, trauma care, airway management and dealing with cardiac arrests. I worked with a diverse group of trainees, and each day brought new challenges. We spent time practicing skills on mannequins, taking turns acting out emergency scenarios, and reviewing medical protocols. The instructors, many of whom were experienced paramedics, provided valuable mentorship and guidance. Their real-world experiences added depth to the training, and they often shared practical insights about what it's like working in high-pressure medical environments.

"The instructors, many of whom were experienced paramedics, provided valuable mentorship and guidance."

Faisal Niazi '27

What inspired you to take on this particular experience?

I’ve always been passionate about helping people and have been drawn to health care. The opportunity to make an important difference in someone's life during their most vulnerable moments is what motivated me to pursue EMT training. Additionally, I wanted a hands-on experience for my future goal, which is going to medical school and then becoming a surgeon, to then contribute and give back to my community in a meaningful way. 

The nature of emergency medicine — its immediate action and the direct impact on patient outcomes — was particularly appealing. It felt like the right step toward gaining more real-world exposure in the health care field and solidifying my interest in pursuing a medical career.

What skills have you been able to learn or practice through this experience?

Through my EMT training, I gained a wide range of skills, both technical and soft. I learned essential life-saving procedures such as CPR, bleeding control, fracture management and how to operate an automated external defibrillator. Additionally, I practiced patient assessment skills, like identifying symptoms and determining the severity of injuries in high-stress situations. 

Beyond medical skills, I developed strong communication and teamwork abilities, as working in emergency situations requires clear and concise exchanges with both team members and patients. I also increased my ability to stay calm under pressure, think quickly on my feet, and make decisions with limited information.

What did you find the most interesting or surprising about this experience?

What I found most interesting was how much mental preparation goes into being an EMT. While the physical skills are crucial, the ability to think quickly and maintain emotional resilience was just as vital. It was surprising how emotionally taxing some scenarios were, particularly during simulations that acted as real-life traumas. I also encountered the strong sense of teamwork that developed among the trainees. We leaned on each other, shared experiences, and supported one another, which made the intensity of the training more manageable. This sense of teamwork was one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience.

Why did you choose to attend F&M?

I attended F&M because the College provided me with a sense of belonging. The College has really good faculty-to-student connections, and it is filled with excellent mentors for students who are going into a profession after college. The moment you attain the title of "Diplomat," F&M becomes a family to you and everyone supports you as much as they can. It’s as though you are a blood-related family member.

"The College provided me with a sense of belonging... The moment you attain the title of 'Diplomat,' F&M becomes a family to you and everyone supports you as much as they can."

Faisal Niazi ’27

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