​As part of its 60th-anniversary celebrations, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is introducing 60 future healthcare professionals who are currently in their first year. Meet Sarah Bosch.

Sarah Bosch wants to follow in the footsteps of her father. “He’s a GP that specialised in family medicine,” she explains.

Bosch, a Bredasdorp native, also has an older brother, who is currently a sixth year medical student at the Stellenbosch University’s Tygerberg campus.

She was in grade 8 when she decided that she too wanted to become a doctor to be able to help people. Bosch has an older sister who is mentally disabled and says it is one of the reasons that contributed to her decision to study medicine.

“I’ve learnt a lot from her about empathy, caregiving, responsibility and seeing the best in every situation.”

She, however, recognises that her chosen career path will set many challenges. “You work long, hard hours and don’t see your family that often. It’s expected of you to give more of yourself than you can expect back, and you have a huge responsibility.”

So far, she’s enjoyed her studies, and says the second semester was especially nice because “the work is actually about what you are going to do one day”. She looks forward to learning how to put up a drip.

Did you know…

• If she could be an animal, she’d be a penguin. “They are my favourite animals.”
• If she could write a message on a billboard, it would be: “The world needs what you’ve got.”
• Her favourite food is her mother’s mac-’n-cheese.
• Her best trait is laughing a lot. “Especially at myself.”
• Her message to campus is: “Always remember to make the best of your opportunities.”