Hello, my name is Samiira Mohamed and I am currently 17 years old. My favorite hobbies are reading and creative writing. I have just finished grade 11 at Martingrove Colliegiate Institute and my future aspirations is to attend medical school. I am still not quite sure what profession in the medical field that I’d like to pursue, but I am really interested in obstetrics, pediatrics and psychiatry. I believe knowledge is the seed to success in life and without knowledge we lack foundation in our lives.
Thanks to the help of CYDMS, I will be attending a Summer Mentorship Program at the University of Toronto’s Medical Faculty, this summer. I never really thought I would be spending my summer learning about medicine and getting hands on experience from actual doctors. In fact, I had applied for summer school, grade 12 English, to get a heads start at school. But eventually with all the persuasion and constant encouragement from CYDMS, I had also applied for this program in April. After a couple of weeks I was called by the University, and was asked for an interview. Although I still had the intention of attending summer school, I made my journey downtown. And to my surprise when I had arrived at U of T, I was stunned by the beautiful campus, and the splendid learning environment.
After arriving at the Medical Faculty, I took my seat and waited for my interview. I was interviewed by a lady named Diana Ali, a senior officer in the office of health professions (student affairs) and the co-founder of the program. I was honored to be interviewed by a women who for 30 years has been striving to help students reach their full potential. Diana Ali, asked me a few questions about myself, and due to the never ending help I had received from CYDMS, I had pulled off an amazing interview and got accepted. After hearing my acceptance directly from Diana, I was ecstatic. At that point, I had made up my decision. I was going to attend this year’s Summer Mentorship Program at the Faculty of Medicine, indefinitely.
This four-week summer program takes place in July, aimed at high school students in grade 11, where students get to explore a university program and gain hands-on experience through job shadowing, while earning a high school credit. Hopefully, this program will allow me to broaden my horizons and give me a taste of what university life is really like. I highly recommend this mentorship to Somali youth to apply for this life changing program. It will truly be an experience of a life time!
Sincerely Yours,
Samiira Mohamed
A Student at the Summer Mentorship Program 2010
