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 Sofia Moutzouris.

Sofia Moutzouris has Greek blood running in her veins. "My grandparents came to the country and started from the bottom to ensure that my family would be able to attend university and become qualified at a tertiary institution," she explains. And as the third generation of her lineage in South Africa, she is now also reaping the rewards of their hard work.

Moutzouris is originally from Durban and is currently a first-year student in B in Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy at Stellenbosch University. "I want to assist people in gaining one of the fundamental parts of human interaction: communication," says.

Though she has enjoyed her first year on the Stellenbosch campus, she says she initially felt very different to a lot of the girls in her residence and on campus because of the cultural differences and her appearance. She was surprised at how quickly she felt accepted. "I never expected to make friends so quickly and feel so at home."

When she’s old one day, she’d like to remember the Greek message of Philotima. "It encompasses the motivation to do the right thing and to always be proud of your community and family by living a goal-directed life filled with integrity and humility."

Quick quiz:

• Favourite food? "My mom’s Greek Kritharaki (a tomato-based dish with rice pasta and chicken)."
• Worst habit? "Being impatient."
• Best habit? "Making lists of everything."
• What’s the difference between good work and great work? "Good work is doing everything what you need to do well. Great work is going beyond what is required without being asked."