Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

A ‘yes’ to study medicine after eight years and 32 rejections

12 December 2020 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied

Read More Bianca Vermeulen — Bianca Vermeulen started her journey to become a doctor this year after being accepted by the University of the Free State (UFS) to study medicine. She had previously applied 32 times in eight years to study medicine.

A first-year medical student from the University of Free State (UFS) is finally on her way to realise her childhood dream of becoming a doctor after having been rejected 32 times in eight years to study medicine.

Bianca Vermeulen, who started the MBChB programme in 2020, said she applied 32 times in eight years and got rejected every time. As a qualified Critical Care Clinical Technologist who worked for the Free State Department of Health, the daily interaction with her patients and colleagues inspired her to keep her dream alive.

“My childhood dream (of becoming a doctor) did not fade. Dreams do not have expiry dates. During my time in the clinical setting, I learnt some important life lessons. Experience is most definitely what I got when I did not get what I wanted,” said Vermeulen.

According to her, working in a clinical setting fueled her passion. Said Bianca: “I woke up to an alarm clock of opportunity. At the end of the day I can go home with a feeling of satisfaction. I could not have done it without the support of my colleagues and friends. Then it all becomes worth it.”

Finally, a yes to study medicine

Vermeulen said she was at work when she received an e-mail on 3 October 2019 from the UFS application office. She initially ignored the e-mail thinking they would resend one of their earlier rejection letters. After ‘accidentally’ opening the letter, she could not believe her eyes.

“For a moment I was in denial. I had to read the letter a few times to ensure my eyes were not bewitching me. I had to show a friend to ensure that I had read and understood the letter. Then the reality came as an overwhelming mixture of emotions.”

Studying medicine during a pandemic

Vermeulen , who has a passion for neonatal and paediatric intensive care and would like to specialise in paediatrics and child health care after her undergraduate studies, said she welcomes the change that COVID-19 brought to the academic table.

“Daily routine changed overnight for all people and all stared uncertainty in the face. Students had to adapt to a blended learning approach (which also had its own challenges), but as time progressed, we learnt the new ropes.

“I truly hope that we all take the COVID lessons to heart. In the medical sector, no one is a greater ‘hero’ than another. The sector needs various role players and I hope that people realise the importance of nurses, hospital cleaners, administrative staff and all allied health workers. Without these people, the medical sector cannot function. We all need one another.

“With that being said, I hope people realise that we need a functional system so that we can work with each other and not against a system,” said Vermeulen.

Working with various healthcare workers, she has seen the effects of burnout and experienced the best (and worst) of both worlds but is still happy with her choice to study medicine.

It only takes one successful application

“As [US educator] Randy Pausch said: ‘The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.’ I take this to heart,” Vermeulen said.

“You might have received ample unsuccessful applications, but it will only take one successful application to commence with your dream. If it is truly something you want to do, never give up on your dreams. Always work hard and take to heart what the Lord has done for you!”

News Archive

#Women’sMonth: Who am I? Questions of identity among Rwandan rape survivors

2017-08-03

Michelle Nöthling, master’s degree student
in the Centre for Trauma, Forgiveness, and
Reconciliation Studies at the UFS.
Photo: Eugene Seegers

From 7 April to 15 July 1994, a mass genocide swept through Rwanda after years of Belgian colonial rule that divided the country along ethnic lines. Rape was also used as part of a political strategy to torture and humiliate mainly Tutsi women, and as a means of spreading HIV.

Individual focus
Why is it important to listen to what these rape survivors have to say? Michelle Nöthling, a master’s student in the UFS Centre for Trauma, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation Studies, responds, “We speak of groups – refugees, foreigners, and the like – yet we tend to forget the individuals and the lasting impact trauma has had on each person.”

Narrative exploration
Michelle maintains that we are the product of the narratives around us; things like – how to be a woman, how to dress, speak, or treat others. Her research delves into how these rape survivors see themselves, how they narrate their lives. She also investigates power relations based on gender; for example, how language can be used as a divisive tool.

Rwandan backdrop
In Rwanda, gender roles are deeply entrenched. Traditionally, a ‘girl’ remains such while she is a virgin. Her transition into womanhood is usually marked by marriage and followed by motherhood. But rape disrupts this structure, leading to an identity crisis as these girls are catapulted into motherhood with an unplanned child resulting from a traumatic event.

“We are the product of
the narratives around us.”

Reaching their mid-teens, the children, too, started asking questions about identity or paternity. For those mothers who were finally able to open up to their children, the experience has been mostly liberating – often leading to a closer relationship between parent and child. Michelle intends to interrogate how such significant moments shape the way these women perceive themselves. Research tends to portray these survivors solely as mothers of rape-born children. Michelle, however, seeks to examine their identities more deeply.

“These survivors still bear the heavy burden of being marginalised, stigmatised, and severely humiliated. Despite this, they have developed their own communities of belonging; people with whom they connect, to whom they relate, and to whom they are not ashamed to tell their experiences,” she said.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept