Muriel Maa-Abena Sam, a second-year Bsc. Dietetics student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), has described her long vacation as one of the most transformative periods of her academic journey, marked by professional and personal.

The vacation, which initially began with stress and uncertainty, gradually evolved into a fulfilling and impactful period for Muriel.

“At the beginning, it wasn’t easy at all. It was very stressful, tiring, and sometimes overwhelming for me. But as time went on, it became something I truly enjoyed and appreciated,” she said.

She undertook a 10-week internship at the Obuasi Government Hospital, where she was exposed to hands-on clinical and administrative responsibilities. Her daily routine included assisting with patient care and supporting hospital operations, sometimes even coordinating with IT technicians to resolve technical issues.

Initially shy, she noted that frequent interactions helped her build confidence and form meaningful relationships.

“At first, it felt like too much trouble for me because I was shy. But eventually, I got used to it and became friends with them,” she explained.

A defining moment of her internship was working with malnourished children receiving Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), an experience she described as deeply emotional and purpose-driven.

“Seeing their condition really touched me. But it also gave me a sense of purpose, knowing that they were receiving care and gradually improving,” she said.

In an unexpected turn, Ms. Sam also became a beneficiary of care when her supervisor identified that she was underweight and placed her on a diet plan, which led to noticeable improvement in her health.

Beyond clinical duties, she had the opportunity to counsel patients, particularly women diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension. She noted the emotional toll such diagnoses often had on patients and emphasized the importance of empathy and encouragement.

“As soon as you tell them they have this disease, they burst into tears. Beyond counselling, I made sure to encourage them to stay hopeful and trust in God,” she said.

Although the internship was scheduled to last 10 weeks, Ms. Sam extended her stay to support her supervisor, even working through the Christmas period until she was advised by her parents to take a break.

Outside the hospital setting, her vacation included family engagements, church activities, and community outreach. She participated in Christmas programmes, including lessons and carols, and engaged in evangelism activities in markets and rural communities.

She also highlighted personal milestones such as independently handling banking transactions, assisting in her sister’s shop, and overcoming her fear of public interaction in market settings.

These experiences, she noted, significantly boosted her confidence and self-expression.

“It helped me become confident in expressing myself. I was able to try things I wouldn’t normally do,” she said.

Reflecting on the entire period, Ms. Sam expressed gratitude for the growth she experienced, describing the vacation as crucial preparation for the next stage of her academic and professional journey.

“It helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect and really prepared me for what lies ahead,” she added.