My name is Valancia Nzegwu, from Nigeria. Having grown up in a supportive, close-knit family, I've always been encouraged by my parents to work with my passion and to take on new challenges. They have instilled a sense of curiosity and resilience in me that is key to my values and means of approaching life. I am someone who enjoys working with other people, therefore I gravitate towards activities that involve cooperation, learning, and growing as a group. I enjoy participating in sports teams; for several years, I played basketball and netball, where problem-solving and teamwork constitute the keys to success. 

Similarly, I take pleasure in calmer activities such as crocheting, where patience and creativity are called to duty. In addition to my love for knowledge in the classroom, I constantly approach life with a positive attitude and determination. Regardless of whether I am working on a team assignment, or independent project, I always undertake them with enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and willful desire make a positive impact.

Selecting China is an academic as well as a personal decision. Professionally, China is at the top when it comes to medical education, and Chinese universities have the reputation for mixing the ancient practices with modern-day research. I want to study where I can challenge myself, and I feel that China is where exactly I would find such challenges—particularly through its competitive medical programs and modernized hospitals.

At a personal level, I want to emerge out of my comfort zone. I want to experience a culture that is completely new to me, learn a new language, and gain a broader understanding of the world. The diversity of China, its speed of progress, and openness to international students make it ideal to develop into—not just as a student, but also as a person.

Although I have always been intrigued by the human body—how it functions, and how it heals, medicine was not a lightning-bolt decision for me; rather, it was a decision that required intense deliberation. What really got me interested was the idea of being able to combine science and service. It is one of the few careers where having advanced knowledge directly benefits a person's life. That is the sort of purpose that I find in my career.

I have completed a year of a BSc General at my local university, which helped me confirm that this pathway is suitable for me. If offered the opportunity to study medicine in China, I would wish to study more deeply into areas such as internal medicine, public health, and community-based care. I am particularly interested in health equity and how different healthcare systems approach prevention, especially in underprivileged groups.

In the future, I would like to become a doctor who works directly with underserved populations—especially those most overlooked by the healthcare system. I would like to offer both medical care and education, allowing individuals to be their own health advocates. I am particularly interested in working in rural or low-resource areas where health care is limited, and where compassion, consistency, and creative problem-solving can truly have an impact. My ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between service and science, and become the kind of physician that cares as much as they cure.

Academically, I have taken a science-oriented course. I completed my IGCSE and AS Level, majoring in subjects like biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Subsequently, I enrolled in a Bachelor of Science (General) course at my university, completing the first year.

My education has taught me to think critically and continuously desire advancement. My biggest strength is being persistent and coachable—I learn very quickly, and I'm eager to invest the time necessary in order to excel in difficult fields.

My strongest social experience was doing volunteer work for a Christian summer camp. I assisted in coordinating activities such as plays and games, and even played in a few. It was an exciting experience, as it taught me how to work with people, handle being under pressure, and make other people feel welcome. These are all things that are also critical in medicine.

I have also taught younger students science and math. It was my first real exposure to teaching and responsibility. It instilled in me that I enjoy helping others learn and overcome what seems impossible—an ability that directly translates to being a doctor.

I value having a well-rounding life that keeps me grounded and focused. Therefore, I believe it is critical to know how to balance academics and hard work with creativity, reflection and personal development. For this reason, over the past few years, I have taken an interest in several different hobbies and activities. Crocheting taught me to pace myself. Sports taught me to keep pushing forward. And religion taught me to keep things in perspective.

For the past year, I have been dedicated to learning Spanish, and hope to learn Mandarin fluently during my time here in China. I am ready to embrace new challenges, expand my knowledge and gain a broader perspective through fresh experiences.

Finally, I want to thank LUCAS International-Study in China for getting me admission in Fujian Medical University, their guidance meant a lot to me. The services they offered are of great value. I suggest all my friends and students from Nigeria to contact them for study in China. They are amazing indeed !