Meet the Valedictorians: Marina Abdel Malak

If you had a superpower, what would it be? Who inspires you, and why? Marina Abdel Malak, Valedictorian for the School of Nursing and the Medical Radiation Sciences Program, answers these and other pressing questions in our Daily News Q&A:

Your home town: Mississauga, Ontario.

Your degree & subject area: Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Where are you headed after convocation? 

I’ll be starting the MD program at the University of Toronto in August.

Your best memory of Mac? The McMaster community is so welcoming, friendly and helpful. I’ll never forget my first day during Welcome Week. We had a barbecue with fantastic Willy Dogs, an inflatable slide (which was awesome!) and loads of cheers. It was the best – and most exciting – way to start my nursing degree.

The best advice anyone ever gave you? My dad has a saying that he repeats often: “tough times never last.” The idea behind it is that this too shall pass. Each obstacle, regardless of how challenging it may be, will not be forever. My mother always tells me that “health and happiness go hand-in-hand,” and she is absolutely right. My undergraduate degree, and all my life experiences, have taught me that when I am healthy – physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally – I can achieve whatever I set my mind to. These two gems are treasures I carry with me wherever life takes me.

Who inspires you, and why? My mother, father, and sister inspire me. My parents immigrated to Canada and both had to re-do their degrees here, in order to work in their respective professions – while also paying off their student debts and raising me and my sister. They raised us to be grateful for the simplicities of life, to persevere despite obstacles, and to remain true to ourselves. My older sister, Nansy, is the perfect example of commitment, wisdom and strength. There are days when I feel like giving up, but Nansy’s courage and passion remind me how rewarding it is to fight for my goals.

What’s your biggest accomplishment so far? My biggest accomplishment is publishing my book, Recipe for Recovery. I wanted to use my experiences in battling an eating disorder to help others, to break the stigma associated with illness, and to inspire others to achieve their dreams. There were many times throughout my life when others, and often myself, didn’t think that I would survive, be successful, or live a happy, healthy life. I defied the odds when I picked myself up and remained determined to pursue my dreams, even in the face of adversity. Having my book published is a lasting symbol of my determination, passion and perseverance.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? When I was four, I used to wish I had the ability to know everything at once – everlasting knowledge. But as I grew up, I realized that constantly learning is fun, challenging and motivating. Now, almost 20 years later, my dream super-power would be to be able to stretch time when I need it. There’s simply too much to do in life – study, work, play, laugh, travel and more.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned (so far)? Life is full of challenges, and it’s only human to let these bring us down. However, I’ve learned that in all circumstances I have two options: I can give up or I can face the obstacle head-on. Although this sounds easy, it really isn’t. The easier option is usually to let the situation get the best of us, to feel negative, and to give up our dreams. But life has taught me too many times that the harder option – fighting for our goals – is the right choice.

What do you think the future holds for higher education? I’m a strong believer in lifelong learning. It’s true what is said: a day without learning is a day lost. Higher education serves many purposes, aside from being a pathway to income in the future. Attending college or university allows us to discover our true potential, things we never knew we could do. Although it may be stressful at times, higher education allows us to see things from various perspectives, form opinions, acquire knowledge, and immerse ourselves in paths we never knew existed. As technology continues to evolve, I think higher education will – and should – evolve right with it.

While at Mac, did you receive donor-funded financial assistance (e.g., a scholarship, award and/or bursary)? Any thoughts on the importance of giving back to one’s alma mater to support future generations? I had the honour of receiving the Dr. Harry Lyman Hooker Scholarship, the Edwin Marvin Dalley Memorial Scholarship, and the Yates Scholarship. It’s always a joy to see that individuals are willing to donate money to help McMaster students succeed.

I have tremendous respect and appreciation for those who give back to the McMaster community in any way, and I would love to be able to do the same.

Our alma mater is like a second home – it’s where we’ve spent years of studying for exams, cramming in assignments, participating in sports or clubs, forming friendships, and making memories. To be able to show appreciation for this, by giving back to support future generations, is both empowering and edifying.