We say it often: getting to university graduation and into a meaningful career is not easy. And in South Africa, if you are a student from a low-income background it can be just plain difficult. The sheer amount of change and responsibility placed in a university student’s life is hard to manage, particularly if they don’t have support where and when they need it most.
In this video you’ll hear from Sinombongo, a Dell Young Leader who will walk across the graduation stage this month. Sinombongo always had big dreams for her community, and becoming a medical doctor was one way she could make a difference in the lives of others. As a Dell Young Leader pursuing her degree in medicine, she was able to rely on the on-campus programmes team to help guide and encourage her through times of uncertainty.
In this video, learn more about her Dell Young Leaders experience, and how she plans to use her degree to change lives in her community.
Transcript
Sinombongo: I’ve always had big dreams for myself, for also my family and also for my community. I’ve always wanted to help other people any way that I could, so becoming a medical doctor, for me, was something that can allow me to make a change in other people’s lives.
In South Africa, not everyone has this opportunity to get support and be able to pursue their dreams. I didn’t actually know what it’s like studying medicine, being a medical student. Some of the challenges that I faced was just transitioning into that space and just finding myself and staying true to my dreams. During exam times, I was anxious and stressed and couldn’t really speak to someone about it. The main thing that makes the Dell Young Leaders Program special in different is that it’s not just about the funding. If you have any issues that you’re struggling with, it’s just a matter of a phone call or a text message and someone who’s going to be there to support you, and that actually helped me a lot to get the reassurance that everything is going to be fine. This, like practical steps, this is what you have to do. It actually helped me calm down and prepare, and be ready for my examination.
It was just amazing that people are happy for people me, people wanting to see me pursue my dreams, and become what I want to be. With the hope of Dell Young Leader Scholarship, I’ve been able to be where I am now, doing my final year in my medicals study. For the other young people from my community, it gives them hope that they can also follow their dreams and change their lives.