[A]n aspiring doctor has taken the next step towards her dream career after securing an unconditional offer to study a medical degree in London.
Aina Mercant Osuna joined Barrow Sixth Form College as an overseas student as part of the Education First scheme with the aim of studying towards a career as a doctor.
She completed her A levels in biology, chemistry and maths last year achieving top grades and will start at Queen Mary University in September.
The 19-year-old, of Majorca, has thanked the staff at sixth form for their support in organising work experience placements and her university application.
“Receiving this offer was one of the best moments of my life. I have fought hard to get it and I’ve couldn’t help but cry out of happiness. I have no words to describe how it feels to be given the opportunity to follow your dream,” she said.
“I will be forever grateful to this sixth form not only for giving me the academic support but for making me feel like home in a foreign country. Everyone has always helped me with a smile.”
“My teachers never gave up on me and they make me feel like I could archive anything. It was very hard especially at the beginning when I didn’t speak the language but they made sure I was able to follow up and reach my goals.”
The college, which merged with Furness College last year, runs a specialist programme to support university applications into highly-competitive medical degree courses. It identifies students who are considering applying for medical school or have the potential to consider this career and guides them through the often complicated enrolment process.
Aina was supported by staff, the careers team and her personal progress coach and took part in a four-day placement at Abbey Road surgery, summer school and tour of Furness General Hospital. She stayed with a host family in Askam and volunteered at a cancer charity shop in Barrow.
She said she was inspired to work in the medical profession following a serious car crash when she was five. The surgeon who operated on her had trained and worked in England and, since then, it had been her dream to follow in his footsteps.
“Since I was a kid believed that doctors fight for people’s lives every day and I’ve always wanted to do so myself,” she said. “During the work experience that the sixth form organised for me at the GP practice, I was able to witness the relationship between the doctors and the patients and reassure that that’s what I wanted to do.”
Assistant Principal – Head of Sixth Form Jeff Chadd said: “We’re delighted that Aina has achieved her dream of a place at medical school. She was not only a committed and hard-working student but a hugely valued member of our college community who was unfailingly cheerful and a great role model to other students. We look forward to seeing her career progress and wish her well for the future.”
