By handing over the nurse’s uniform and cap to Ungkana, the practical part of her university studies in nursing starts.
The 20-year-old Ungkana Normai is now allowed to wear the nurse’s uniform and cap for the first time. She is very happy that she has come that far, because after the theoretical lessons during her introductory year at the University of Lampang her practical training can now begin. “We will accompany and support Ungkana until she has completed her studies and we are convinced that she will become an excellent nurse” compliments Gerd Mathia, the Country Director of the Samuel Foundation in Thailand.
Ungkana has been attended and supported in her professional career by the Samuel Foundation for the last eight years. This is why she was able to attend secondary and high school in the district school of Sermngam, where she reached twelfth grade, the highest education level in Thailand. Since she had always shown great interest in her own education, every year she presented excellent school certificates to the Foundation. In the year 2009, she decided to become a nurse and started her nursing education at the Panjaban University in Lampang. “That’s a very good choice” affirms Gerd Mathia, since this profession has very good future prospects because of an increasing offer in the Thai health care system.
Completing the general introductory year of her syllabus at university, she now has overcome the first big obstacle on her way of becoming a nurse. In a solemn ceremony she received the nurse’s uniform and cap and you could tell by the joy on her face that she was very happy about her achievement. In the following three years, until the completion of her bachelor’s degree, she will be practically trained. The fact that two former beneficiaries of the Foundation in Thailand found jobs in renowned hospitals shortly after finishing their studies proves once again that Ungkana’s choice of studies offers excellent future opportunities. Now, they do not have to rely on the Foundation’s support any more and are able to live their lives independently and with self-determination.