For Mongolian national Nomundari Tugsjargal, being in a different country and adjusting to Fiji’s school system has never been a challenge.

“Being in a different school, different environment, making new friends and adjusting into a different school system has never been challenging for me because I always had my parents’ support,” Nomundari said.

She said this when she was awarded the Best Overall Student of Year Nine during the prizegiving ceremony at Labasa College in Labasa yesterday.

The second of three siblings said she studied eight hours daily.

“I begin my study from 8pm to 4am and slept for three hours only,” Nomundari said.

“I made this timetable and diligently followed it without my parents’ guidance.

“It is all about discipline and setting the right mindset.

“I don’t resort to coffee like others to stay awake.”

She aspires to become a neuro surgeon one day.

Her parents, Uyanga Enebish and Tugsjargal Gaadai, who are doctors at Labasa Hospital, said their daughter worked independently.

“We never had to worry about her schooling,” Mrs Enebish said.

“My wife and I have different working hours and we are proud that Nomundari understands our situation and carries herself well more than what we expect from her,” Mr Gaadai said.

The family resides in Nasekula, Labasa and this is their fourth year in Fiji.

The chief guest was the Labasa College principal Vinod Naicker.

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