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Patience, Purpose, and a Plane Ticket to Austria:
Faith’s Nursing Journey
For Faith, nursing was never just a career choice; it was something she felt drawn to from the start. “I’ve always wanted to work in healthcare since high school,” she says, smiling at the memory. “Helping people has always been a passion.” Growing up, the path seemed natural—her mother is a nurse, her brother a doctor, and her sister is now studying computer science. “We’re kind of a family of scientists,” she laughs.
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After completing her studies in nursing, Faith’s path crossed with an unexpected opportunity that would change her life. “I first heard about the Austria program from Dr. Misori when they came to our school in Uzuma,” she recalls. “At that time, it sounded like something far off, but I was curious.” That curiosity quickly turned into determination.
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The idea of working abroad appealed to her for many reasons. “I wanted to experience something bigger, to explore new opportunities beyond nursing in Kenya,” she says. “Austria offers not just better career prospects but also the chance to study further, meet new people, and live in a completely different culture.”
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Faith lights up when talking about her expectations. “I’ve watched a lot of movies set in Europe,” she says with a laugh. “I really want to see how it looks in real life, the castles, the Christmas markets, the snow. I hope to experience that magical feeling you see in the movies.” She’s also looking forward to meeting people from diverse backgrounds and working in an environment that is friendly and inclusive. “I just hope my colleagues are welcoming, especially since we’ll be foreigners. That makes a big difference.”
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Her preparation for this journey began long before she packed her bags. After that first information session, she wasted no time. “I started learning German immediately, even before official classes began,” she says. “It was hard at first, really hard, but I was motivated. I knew what I wanted.” To stay consistent, she combined many learning methods attending classes, self-study, watching cartoons in German, and even reading simple novels. “I love reading, so that helped,” she adds.
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Fina and Faith
Despite her determination, the process wasn’t easy. “The timeline was one of the biggest challenges,” she explains. “At first, I thought we’d be traveling just a few months after finishing exams, maybe by May. But the documentation and verification took much longer than expected.” The delays tested her patience, but she later learned that bureaucratic processes take time, both in Kenya and abroad. “At some point, I felt like it was taking forever. But looking back, I see it taught me patience.”
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That patience will serve her well as she steps into a new healthcare system. From her experience during internship, she has a few expectations. “I hope the workload is more manageable than in Kenya,” she says thoughtfully. “Here, nurses are often overwhelmed. I’m hoping for a more balanced system, where you can give each patient proper attention.” She also believes that friendliness among colleagues has a huge impact. “When people are kind and supportive, work feels lighter. I hope to find that in Austria.”
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Faith has her eye on the future too. “If I get the chance to specialize, I’d love to become a midwife,” she says confidently. “I find that area fascinating helping bring life into the world is beautiful.”
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When she reflects on the entire process, from applying to studying the language and waiting for approvals, she laughs softly. “I’ve learned that I’m not as patient as I thought I was,” she admits. “But this journey really taught me to slow down, to understand that things take time. Patience and discipline have been my biggest lessons.”
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For those still waiting to travel or those just beginning the process, Faith’s advice is heartfelt. “Don’t rely only on motivation because motivation fades. What keeps you going is discipline. Study even when you don’t feel like it, keep your goal in sight, and be patient. Everything eventually falls into place.”
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She remembers how some of her classmates lost motivation along the way. “Some people complained that it was taking too long, that maybe it wasn’t real. But as pioneers from our school, we had to believe even when there was no one ahead of us. We just trusted the process.”
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Faith also appreciated the pre-departure training. “It was really helpful,” she says. “Learning about Austrian culture, how to see a doctor, how to navigate public transport all that was new to me.” She’s especially curious to experience Austrian food and traditional clothing. “I can’t wait to try new dishes,” she laughs. “Though I’ll definitely miss Kenyan food especially fish.”
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As she prepares to leave, she reflects on how the process could improve. “At the beginning, communication was a bit confusing,” she admits. “We didn’t know what to expect, and sometimes updates came late. But later, things became much clearer.”
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Faith’s story is one of quiet determination, grounded hope, and the courage to wait even when the waiting feels endless. As she gets ready to step into a new chapter in Austria, she carries with her the lessons that shaped her discipline, patience, and the unwavering belief that good things come to those who keep moving forward.
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