World University Services of Canada Scholarship Brings Student to USask Nursing

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is where?

Martha Korok is a 3^rd year University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing student at the Saskatoon Campus. Before receiving the World University Services of Canada (WUSC) Scholarship through the Student Refugee Program (SRP) she had not heard of Saskatoon.

“I became aware of the University of Saskatchewan on the day I received my placement letter for USask,” said Korok.

Martha attended Morneau Shepell High School in Kenya, where she successfully completed her studies in 2018. Her strong academic performance in the Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) made her eligible for the WUSC refugee students' scholarship.

“After students are accepted in the WUSC SRP program, WUSC shares the names of scholarship recipients with various universities in Canada,” explains Korok.

“Students are then subsequently placed in the university where they have been accepted. The selection process is based on the top three programs students indicate when applying for the scholarship.”

This brought Martha to the University of Saskatchewan College of Arts of Science in 2021, where she completed her pre-professional year of nursing studies.

“Initially, the experience of coming to Canada was filled with excitement, as is natural for anyone to feel enthusiastic about relocating to a new place,” reflects Korok.

“However, the experience became challenging when I arrived in Saskatoon during winter and I began to feel the added difficulty of living so far away from my family.”

As Martha settles into Saskatoon, she is excelling in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

Not only did she receive the WUSC SRP scholarship to come to USask, she recently received the Mary Hallet Undergraduate Scholarship from the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW).

“When I applied for the CFUW scholarship, College of Nursing associate professor Cheryl Besse wrote me a reference letter that was required for the award,” said Korok.

“I firmly believe the presence of caring instructors in the College of Nursing, like professor Besse, significantly contributes to the success of nursing students.”

Korok is enjoying her time in the BSN program. When asked about the best part of her experience so far, she replied, “The nursing program at USask has been instrumental in allowing me to apply the theoretical knowledge I have acquired in real healthcare settings. The emphasis placed on communication, empathy, critical thinking, and the development of interpersonal skills in nursing school is often underestimated until one is faced with situations that necessitate these skills. Additionally, I have learned the importance of self-advocacy, as I realized speaking up about matters that affect me is crucial for excelling in this fast-paced profession.”

“The BSN program offers a wide range of courses facilitating personal and professional growth. Communication courses, for instance, play a crucial role in developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills, which are valuable not only in a professional setting, but also in personal interactions. The program's assessments and skill-based classes provide USask nursing students with the opportunity to enhance their evidence-based practice and establish a solid foundation for their nursing career.”

Although Korok would definitely recommend USask Nursing to others, she does admit the BSN program does come with challenges.

“The most challenging aspect of the BSN program lies in the pressure the clinical setting creates and the realization that working with real patients demands much more than what is covered in the course curriculum!”

Upon completion of her program, Martha plans to stay in Saskatoon for a few years.

Her long-term goal is to return to South Sudan to utilize her acquired expertise and experiences to positively contribute to her home country.

“I recognize the importance of gaining valuable nursing experience and expanding my academic qualifications before embarking on this long-term goal,” said Korok.

“I have intentions to pursue USask graduate nursing education in the future. One of my aspirations is to become a nurse practitioner, but I do acknowledge my plans are susceptible to change, as I explore diverse possibilities and further develop my knowledge and skills within the nursing field. At present, I am engaged in a process of self-reflection and continuous learning to gain a more profound understanding of the nursing profession.”