Maryam

“My biggest hope is to live my life with purpose, not let my fears control my path and to be at the service of those in need.”

Maryam is 23 and is a medical student at the University of Ottawa. She is pictured outside the Saint-Boniface hospital (in Winnipeg, where she grew up.) She told me, “it represents many aspects of my identity. It is a francophone hospital located in the neighborhood where I spent most of my childhood. French is also my first language which fits into that. It represents the dedication I have to healthcare and thus, very representative of who I am in a way.” Besides her dedication to the field of medicine, Maryam is also very passionate about fashion. She told me she spends her days “scrolling through fashion accounts. I alter some of the pieces I buy and try to find creative ways of expression through that.” When I asked Maryam what her proudest achievement is and what her favourite quality is, she answered introspection to both questions as it’s “extremely valuable but also difficult to practice.” She continued to say,” I think what I appreciate most about myself is something I’ve been working on for a long time, trying to listen to truly listen and not just to reply.” When I asked Maryam what’s an inspiring message she’d like to share she told me, “I used to be so afraid of the unknown and the consequences of my decisions. For a long time that fear controlled my life in the most debilitating way. A few years ago, I went though some of the hardest years of my life. Years that broke me in every way to the point where I did not recognize myself or be able to envision things better. But they did, and I am grateful for the growth. But mostly, I am grateful for finally learning how to control my fear. It never really leaves. Sometimes I do things, all while feeling sick and anxious, but once I get past that, I realize how many doors open up in every aspect of life.”