Honours Board Students on their goals, dreams, and accomplishments: Umaya Samaraweera

I am Umaya Samaraweera, a fifth-year student.

It was 27^th September 2020 when I first arrived in Grodno, not knowing that I’ll be calling it ‘home’ in the times to come.

Moving thousands of miles away home was especially hard for a 18 year old girl, but I have never met people who are as welcoming as Belarusian people.

The closest person to me in the first year was our group’s curator, Elena Sergeevna Lisok, she was a great strength to me and she should get credit for my achievements that were yet to come.

I must say, University has appreciated me in ways that I have never even dreamed of, on the 3^rd of March 2023, Rector of University Igor Georgievich Zhuk and our Dean Alenksander Aleksandrovich Stenko gifted me a watch, which still to this day is my most loved and priced possession, followed by making me a part of the university council and by putting me to the honor board of university.

Teachers and professors of GRSMU are the best and most humble people I have ever met. They are God given people who will tirelessly teach you and give various opportunities which will be valuable in your future work.

Furthermore, our teachers are updated with latest developments in medicine so the knowledge we receive are current and up to date.

Best thing about being abroad are the friends I made, most of my friends are from different countries, Nigeria, Maldives and Ukraine.

The blend of different cultures, ways and outlooks on life really grew me as a person. To put in simple terms, we just really have the best time together, there is no dull day when they are around. They have always been very supportive and encouraging.       

Finally, Grodno, also known as the ‘Pearl of the Neman’ does live up to its name. Grodno has been my home for five years now and the thought that I only have another year to stay here is so sad. I have grown a deep attachment to this city over the years.

To conclude, ‘TRUST YOUR ALMA MATER, SHE WILL TAKE YOU TO THE TOP’