In this personal account, I share how my journey to becoming a doctor took me across countries — and through very different healthcare systems. What started as a clear childhood dream turned into a path full of detours, lessons learned, and a new kind of mission.
Why I Didn't Study in South Africa – and How I Became a Doctor Anyway
I’m Nora.
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to become a doctor. It wasn’t something I discovered along the way; it was something I carried with me from a young age.
I was twelve when I had my first surgery. I remember lying in the hospital bed, watching everything around me, the nurses moving with intention, the doctors focused and composed. There was a certain rhythm to it all. Even as a patient, I felt a sense of calm being there. That experience sparked something in me. I didn’t fully understand it then, but I knew medicine was what I wanted to do.
Towards the end of secondary school, my dad told me I would be going to the University of Pretoria, School of Medicine in South Africa to study medicine. I was excited and ready to begin the journey I had thought about for so long.
But after I graduated, he changed his mind for reasons best known to him. It was confusing and disappointing, but sometimes life doesn’t come with explanations. Thankfully, my parents continued to search for other opportunities. With the help of my Organic Chemistry home tutor, they discovered a medical university in Ukraine, and soon after, I was on my way.
