Health Science Reviews

by Mqiniseli Dlamini

Relocating to an unfamiliar setting, be it a new school, city, or country, offers the allure of novel surroundings and experiences. Among the myriad of enthralling aspects, the most remarkable lies in the absence of familiarity, where everything and everyone are uncharted territory. This transition serves as an academic opportunity of unparalleled magnitude. I embarked on this journey with unwavering confidence, ready to confront the challenges I presumed awaited me. However, reality would prove to be more formidable than anticipation.

Being in a new institute, not knowing how things are done, established norms and expectations became a source of frustration, particularly when considering the non- negotiable time constraint of a single year. Yet, adversity breeds learning, and my tenure here has been a crucible of education. The coursework has introduced me to intellectually stimulating topics, supplemented by the demands of assignments that necessitated the acquisition of knowledge under substantial pressure. The shift has been enormous, but one noticeable impediment persisted—an incapacitating fear of making presentations and its customs. I had skillfully evaded such situations, only to plunge headlong into the biggest one where I had to confront this paralyzing dread. On numerous consecutive occasions, I found myself the centre of attention, as though someone were orchestrating a deliberate trial of my resolve, leaving no room for respite. Conversely, the laboratory work has proven to be exhilarating, although I am merely scratching the surface of the subject at hand. At the end of the day, I gained both skills with practice and ease.

Each morning I use the hospital’s main entrance from down the road, a sight unfolds before me a picturesque setting I find myself gazing upon, a scene that stirs my senses. Before me stands a marvel, a harmonious blend of human ingenuity and nature’s grandeur. Bathed in the gentle, golden radiance of the rising sun, it exuded an aura of timelessness and grace. Towering majestically into the heavens, a mountain looms as if safeguarding the buildings below, partially veiled by ethereal wisps of clouds that hang in the sky. They add an element of mystery, inviting to contemplate the hidden wonders that lay beyond. The mountain itself, like an ancient sentinel, and its presence lends an air of tranquility and timelessness to the entire scene.

It is a reminder of the fleeting nature of time, a reminder that such moments of breath- taking beauty are both rare and transient, in the midst of facing your greatest challenges. A true distraction from everything else falling apart, a distraction well needed and well given everyday without fail.

My experience has been profoundly shaped by the challenges and opportunities that this city and institution. These experiences, both academic and non, have enriched my understanding of the broader context in which life unfolds. As I move forward in my academic and professional journey, I carry with me the valuable lessons learned from the multifaceted tapestry of Cape Town’s unique environment.