Hi, I’m Sabina Iminova, a 22-year-old barista from Russia dreaming of becoming a Medical Lab Scientist. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences at the University of the People, an online university in the USA. From next year, I will start a second Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering in Austria, and I hope to be there in person and study on campus. I plan to graduate two degrees at the same time.
I’ve lived in Moscow for a long time, even though my roots are in the North Caucasus region, and I’ve worked for a few years as a barista. I love coffee and making coffee; I even wanted to start a podcast about this. More recently, I’ve discovered tea. I’m learning now how to make tea professionally.
But my big dream is to work in the medical system and change how we diagnose diseases like Earles-Danlos syndrome, ADHD, and autism. My main interest is in dopamine-related neurological problems and connective tissue disease.
Why I Chose to Study at the University of the People
I chose to study at the University of the People, a fully online university, for its flexibility and accessibility – I get to make the class schedule so it is synched with my daily life, and the cost of study is very affordable. I decided a long time ago that I wanted to study abroad. In Russia, what you learn in classes is not really up to date with what actually happens in the industry. I wanted to study in a place that has the latest research and modern resources. Especially since I hope my future work will have a global impact on healthcare.
However, due to sanctions imposed on Russia during my time as a student, it was difficult to go abroad and study on campus. This online degree allows me to access high-quality online education just by having a good internet connection.
Why I Chose Health Sciences
I’ve always loved Medicine and Health. I used to volunteer to work in hospitals while I was a high school student. I did so during the FIFA World Cup, there were a lot of tourists in Moscow, and the need for medical assistance increased. Most of the tourists didn’t speak Russian, and many didn’t speak English either. We had to use Google Translate to communicate with them. I enjoyed this intercultural experience, it was quite fun.
However, I don’t want to be a doctor and work directly with patients. I’m interested in global healthcare systems. I would love to work in medical robotics and contribute to shaping global health policies. That’s why I picked Health Sciences. Starting next year, I will also be studying a Medicine and Health Bachelor’s in Austria, a Biomedical Engineering degree, to be exact. With my two degrees, I’ll be able to pursue a career that makes it easier to diagnose challenging diseases and improves access to healthcare for everyone, both in Russia and globally.
Challenges I Faced in the Application Process
While the application process for the University of the People was straightforward, I had some difficulties because of the international sanctions imposed on my country. These were mostly related to sending the required documents, especially translating my high school diploma into English. Additionally, I had to obtain a US passport, and that was quite difficult. Although it didn’t happen to me, some of my peers had their documents lost on the way to the US.
But, overall, I managed the process quite well, especially because my family and friends supported me throughout. Bachelorsportal was also quite helpful. I used it to find my programme at the University of the People and to find out about the types of scholarships I could access. However, I would’ve liked it if it also included programmes in other languages, like the one in Austria where I applied, which is in German.
Now that I’ve started my courses, I really enjoy the positive attitude of my tutors. They are very supportive and respond quickly to our questions on WhatsApp and email. At the moment, most of the studying we do is individual, but I’m sure there will be group projects and collaborative activities in the future, and I look forward to that.
My Plan for the Future
My plans for my future may seem a bit ambitious, but I’m sure I can do it. I’m learning German in preparation for my degree in Biomedical Engineering in Austria, and hope to stay there for a while after I graduate to fully immerse myself in this field.
Ultimately, I see myself working in a laboratory, conducting research on global health systems and analytics—maybe even working for the World Health Organization! One thing is certain, though: I am committed to making a positive impact in the field of healthcare.