Serving to Become Independent
“Everything needs a foundation.”
With this in mind, Naila Parveen left her home in Hunza to fulfill her dreams. She decided to move to Karachi for her studies so that she could create the groundwork “to help patients and serve humanity”. An international university with quality education, women’s hostels and student financial assistance, Aga Khan University provided her the means to fulfill her dreams.
No one in her family had worked in the field of medicine before. However, her parents allowed her to make her own decision to become a nurse.
Naila did not expect the campus to be so large. The support from her 'hostel family' and faculty members helped make her move from northern Pakistan to Karachi much easier than she expected.
“AKU has policies that allow us to do better. Compared to other hospitals where there are many malpractices… at AKU we are taught how to avoid these malpractices."
Inspired by the faculty, policies and practices of AKU, Naila hopes to work here after graduation. In her third year at AKU, Naila chose to focus on care for the elderly. She knows that she will be ready for the experience because throughout her studies, she has been involved in patient care and has come into regular contact with physicians and other medical students.
“AKU is more than just an institution….Every moment is the best moment at AKU. I enjoy doing whatever I do here.”
Aside from her studies, Naila takes guitar lessons at the Sports Complex, participates in badminton and cricket trails, surfs the Internet and uses social networks.
Her advice to first year students: “Ask yourself why you are here, at an international university.”
AKU has helped Naila become a responsible, assertive and confident woman. Through her experiences in the hostel and at the hospital she has learned how to be more independent and gained leadership skills.
With these leadership skills, Naila wants to be a role model for her family and friends in Hunza. She also wants to change the perception that nurses only follow doctors and obey their orders. At AKU she has learned that nurses are their own people trying to help others through proper training.
“All these experiences make me Naila. They make me independent.”
