Pulling inspiration from Humans of New York, PDBY reaches out to UP students to hear about their lives as students. Check out Issue 3’s ‘Human of UP’ Nabeelah Imraan Rajah.
“It’s always been my dream to study Veterinary Science. I was first in UP in 2009 doing a 2-year BSC. I didn’t get in for Veterinary after that, so I did one year of Microbiology. I still didn’t get in after that and was left not really knowing what to do. I moved to stay with my mom in Qatar and she advised me to just do something to keep my mind fresh. I enrolled for a General BSc at Qatar University. (The way their university is set up, everyone from all faculties gets to take modules from other faculties. I did a semester of philosophy, a semester of critical thinking. Everyone also had to take beginners Arabic and English and there was also a module called ‘Introduction to Islamic Culture’, so whether you were of Arab nationality or not you understood the landscape of where you were living. It was very cool, it gave you a holistic approach to learning.)
I ended up getting very settled in Qatar. I was studying and working part-time. I was even signed up to do research through their national research fund. In terms of safety, being a female, you could go out by yourself at any time, day or night without fear. Faith wise, as a Muslim woman I was treated so well, you didn’t feel any sort of Islamophobia. Everything was going well, I had gotten used to a new culture and decided to call that home. But for some reason I just kept thinking I will regret it if I don’t apply for Veterinary again.
I had even forgotten about my application when I received my acceptance letter from the Undergrad Admissions department. To have waited 6 years, and in those 6 years continually giving up and then renewing my hope, that moment was so crazy. I immediately phoned the admissions department, all the way from Qatar, to confirm if it was really true. I think in terms of all these competitive selection programmes, not being accepted once, especially when you’ve been this kid who’s excelled their whole life and now you’ve got this big fat no in your face, really hits your confidence. I guess it humbles you in a way, but it also traumatises you, you’re afraid to excel anymore.
I came back to UP and started my BVSc degree in 2015 so I should technically be done. But I’ve had a very tough time getting through this degree. I’ve had to work while studying to pay my fees, which impaired my academic performance. I’ve also come to realise, unfortunately a little bit late, which is why I’ve taken a bit of the scenic route, how limited my coping skills were. Whether I was financially impaired, mentally impaired, whatever it was, I just broke down and sat in a little hole in my head and there was no way out. I always felt like I had this thing, my inner self-sabotager, sitting over my shoulders, saying you’re not going to make it. I think I was still haunted by the fact that I didn’t get into Veterinary the first time. You feel second best to everyone who got in on the first try. Having to repeat also haunts you. I’ve had to come to see myself as my own biggest challenge and realise that it’s my own mindset that I have to overcome.
Even though I’m taking a little longer to complete the degree, I wouldn’t change anything. I always said when I get here, I’m going to make the most of it, and in some very strange way I did. I really got involved. I got to serve on 7 different committees of clubs and societies, I served on the faculty and residence house committees on my campus, and attended practically every social event. Now it’s just grind time, I can focus on my academics. The degree academically is very demanding, but it’s worth it.
Above all I’ve learned that if you want to get far in life in any kind of way, whether it’s friendships, relationships, whether it’s academics, sport, anything at all, nothing beats consistency. You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, contrary to popular belief. You just have to be consistent.’’
– Nabeelah Imraan Rajah
To say “Hello!”: azraa.seedat@gmail.com