Before joining the PRIME program, Tungaa studied Communications and Global Studies as an undergraduate and later earned an MA in Intercultural Communications in Helsinki. Though her great-grandmother, who founded the only hospital in the village where she was born, first inspired her interest in medicine, it was her experiences working in international development—focusing on environmental health, data, and mapping—that introduced her to issues of healthcare access and health inequity. Direct patient care solidified Tungaa’s desire to pursue medicine, and PRIME at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ stood out for its flexibility, supportive program director, and the rich opportunities offered by its location.
Since joining, Tungaa has benefited most from individualized advising, community support, and courses like Clinical Inquiry. Weekly check-ins, peer connections, and tailored guidance on course selection and extracurricular activities have all helped her navigate the complex application process. Although initially stranded in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic, she turned this challenge into an advantage, exploring rural medicine, working as an EMT, and gaining exposure to the U.S. healthcare system. She’s proud of her perseverance in mastering premed material, making the most of faculty support and resources, and reaching the milestone of applying to medical schools.
Outside the classroom, Tungaa has worked as an EMT, volunteered in a hospital emergency department, and now serves as a Clinical Tech in a Cardiovascular ICU. She also continues her non-profit work in Mongolia, addressing flood risk in underserved communities. Balancing studies, clinical work, and personal life has required a strong support system, time to relax, and a willingness to engage in social activities around campus. Her advice to prospective students is to take full advantage of PRIME’s support system and ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s location, which together create exceptional opportunities for building a strong medical school application.