Health Science Reviews

By Athi Neo Macasa

One word I would use to sum up my experience at UCT so far would be an exhilaratingly terrifying fast-paced ride in one of those toy cars for toddlers in a beautiful park (haters will say that’s not one word). What that means in English is that this experience was one I did not expect. I expected hard but I didn’t expect intense, but a good kind of intense. My lectures have all been incredibly passionate about their subjects and their enthusiasm is contagious. Their dedication to teaching and research has inspired me to push myself more. I’ve learnt so much, not just about science but about perseverance, dedication and the thrill of discovery.

Meeting amazing people has been one of my highlights. The connections I’ve made with fellow students, learning about each person’s world and having the chance to share about mine helped me feel more settled in this new environment, I was no longer going through it alone, but I had friends to walk this journey with. Side note, it helped participating in a sports club just to ease the stress of academics. People usually shy away from this because of the extra stress they think it will bring. When I needed a break, I would casually go stab people during fencing practice and I would feel completely great after, so it does more good than harm. If there is a sports club or society you’ve been wanting to join, Go for it, I support you.

One of the best parts of this year has been seeing how my love for science and my faith fit together. Jesus has been helping me through every challenge, giving me strength and guidance when I need it most. It’s touching to see people get interested and genuinely ask about Jesus. These talks have made my faith grow stronger and helped me see how faith and science can go hand in hand.

So in summary, it’s been fun. 4 stars, I highly recommend it, just……bring a helmet, it’s a bumpy ride.