A pathway to a dream
![](https://content.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/styles/vu_large_16_9/public/media/images/mlisho-karega-lg.jpg?h=a1e1a043&itok=-HgpDIdZ)
The best thing about VU is the friendly, multicultural environment, and the amazing support I received from the teachers.
Mlisho Karega
Diploma of Nursing HLT51607, Bachelor of Nursing
After escaping the Democratic Republic of Congo's civil war at 16 and spending three years in a refugee camp in Tanzania, Mlisho Karega came to Australia with the dream of joining the medical profession.
"Everything changed when I got a chance to come here. I enrolled at VU Polytechnic in 2009, to complete a Certificate III in Written and Spoken English [91423NSW]. I then undertook a pathway from the Diploma of Nursing [HLT51607] to complete my Bachelor of Nursing. As you can see I'm a VU boy.
The best thing about VU was the friendly, multicultural environment, and the amazing support I received from the teachers.
I'm currently a registered nurse in the cardiac care unit at Sunshine Hospital, a position I don't believe I would have gained had I not been given the chance to showcase my skills on placement. My placement is where I gained the confidence I needed to put what I learned in class into practice.
I've since undertaken further training in advanced life support and now I'm part of the Code Blue team. I love challenging myself and getting the annual extra training.
I plan to continue my education by undertaking further studies. My long-term goal is to become a doctor.
I believe education is everything. If you stop learning, you start dying."
![Mlisho Karega kneeling and kissing his graduation certificate](https://content.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/images/2021-05/mlisho-karega-graduation.jpg)
Mlisho studied
- English preparation courses
- Diploma of Nursing HLT51607 – now Diploma of Nursing HLT54121
- Bachelor of Nursing