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 Barbara Venter.

University life has taught Barbara Venter that she can cope with change.

Venter, who is used to communicating in German in her hometown of Windhoek, Nambia, says her first year as BSc Physiotherapy student at the Stellenbosch University felt overwhelming at times.

"English and Afrikaans were only school subjects," she explains. She says mastering a new communication medium was a challenge.

But looking back she is proud of herself having learnt how to make independent decisions and adapting to a new learning environment.

"My favourite time is every moment I get to know myself better and can make new friends," she says. She even discovered that she could sing when she auditioned for the Huis Kerkenberg Ser-group earlier this year.

Venter looks forward to qualifying as a physiotherapist and would like to specialise in paediatrics. "I have a passion for children," she says.

Last year, Venter worked as an au pair in Germany and enjoyed her babysitting and tutoring responsibilities.

Her dream job? "To make a difference in the lives of my small patients."

Did you know…

• She stays in shape by doing ballroom dancing, skipping rope and Pilates.
• She loves being in nature, playing the flute and reading.
• Dirty Dancing is her favourite movie.
• Her top study tip is to always keep up to date with your work. "Because catching up is almost impossible."