Name: Duaa Yahya

Hometown: I was born in Toronto, grew up in Mississauga, and currently live in Milton. As a whole, I’d say the GTA is home.

What is the degree and subject you pursued?

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours), with a Minor in French.

Why did you choose to attend McMaster?

I am the kind of person who will make a hundred pro/con lists, only to throw them out and go with what my gut tells me anyways. My intuition strongly pointed to Mac because of the feeling of “home” that I was greeted with when I visited and the warmth that was evident in the upper-years who helped with the transition to university. I also loved that campus buildings are all located together; it added to the communal feeling, which has been central to my memorable experience here.

What do you plan to do/see yourself doing after graduation?

During the summer, I will be working at McMaster’s School of Nursing, taking time to reflect on the last four years, and hopefully basking in the sunshine. In the Fall, I plan to join the MD program at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine.

Any advice to your first-year self?

Take it slow and enjoy the small moments. Embrace challenges and growth. Don’t schedule any classes before 9am.  

Any advice for current or future students?

You are smart and you are compassionate and you are meant to be where you are; don’t let anyone’s perception of you affect your dreams and intentions. Lift up the people around you, especially those who are striving within systems and structures that aren’t set up to support them. The most enriching experiences (as cheesy as it may sound) are those that teach us to take care of each other.

How has McMaster shaped the person you are today?

I came to McMaster during a particularly difficult time in my life. I remember bursting into tears during a class in first year when something struck a nerve and, instead of being disregarded, was taken to an MDCL bathroom by a peer tutor, where we both just cried it out. It’s a collection of moments like these that represent McMaster to me, and have shaped me into someone who aims to foster support, care, and community in any environment. I came here with the intention to learn and am leaving with the knowledge that the way in which we pursue education teaches us just as much as (if not, more than) the content itself.

What events did you enjoy the most at McMaster or in Hamilton?

Welcome Week as a rep was my favourite McMaster event. I also loved going to see special guests that visited campus, such as Hasan Minhaj, Post Malone, and the PM.

In Hamilton, I enjoyed attending exhibits at the Art Gallery of Hamilton (discounted for Mac students!) and film festivals at The Westdale (theatre). 

What is your definition of success?

This is a big question, and one to which the answer fluctuates. As of now, I feel that success means practicing buoyancy and being able to rise back up after experiencing difficulty. Something I reference to myself is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar saying: “You can’t win unless you learn how to lose.” Obstacles and rejections are inevitable, but coming back from them is a game changer. Remembering that “With every hardship, there is ease [94:05],” makes it easier to hold tight through turbulence.

Part of this outlook is also realizing that I’m just one part of a larger human experience, and that the end goal is not to collect accolades, but to leave with abundant love. Having people to talk to when things are tough is a form of success in and of itself.

How has McMaster helped you to create a brighter world?

As I sit here trying to answer this question, I can only think about the 215 Indigenous children who were unearthed in Kamloops, BC. I can only think about the family that was murdered in London, ON, simply for being Muslim. I can only think of the countless brothers and sisters constantly fearing for their lives, for circumstances out of their control or parts of their identities that they hold dearly.

To hear the phrase “brighter world” and talk about anything else right now would be hollow; to regurgitate platitudes of “This is not who we are” would not reflect what I have learned over the last few years. McMaster did not offer empty promises of “diversity and inclusion.” Instead, it showed them to me. It acknowledged that we still have ways to go and then instilled the motivation to strive towards them. It was one of the only places where I felt invited, welcomed, and valued. It proved to me that words cannot make a change unless actions follow them. The tangible, thoughtful actions of my peers and educators gave me hope that one day we will see their compassion extended outside the university bubble of critical thinking, discussion, passion, and sanguinity. 

Throughout my undergrad experience, Mac has taught me that betterment can only be realized if we mobilize to bring it about. While my courses here taught me about inequities and oppression, the university also provided me and my peers with avenues to actually address these injustices. A few examples close to my heart were having the opportunity to do research on ethnic/racial minority mental health, serving with a group that worked with marginally housed individuals in Hamilton, and starting a book club centered around marginalized female authors. I know that the university experience differs for everyone, but I hope that avenues of service and community outreach are available to anyone who seeks them.

There are days where the world does not seem particularly bright, but remembering this warmth and action helps. Ultimately, people make a place. And the majority of people at Mac will undoubtedly inspire others towards light.

Who is your favourite professor?

All of my professors have been incredibly generous with their knowledge and guidance throughout my time at McMaster. One of the professors that I admire deeply is Hartley Jafine. 

Hartley truly embodied the arts being an integral part of a “Health Sciences” education, teaching us that they allow us to delve into the narratives, contexts, and behaviours that are crucial to understanding health and wellness. He let us take our schoolwork in the direction that was best for our personal learning journeys; my final projects for both his Inquiry class and his Theatre class were creative pieces, inspired largely by Hartley’s open-mindedness and originality in our classroom settings. Being able to center my work around imagination was a learning adventure that I am endlessly grateful for.

I also admire all the professors and staff in the Education Program in Anatomy, who made my experience with the department engaging and transformative.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

To be able to speak any language/dialect! There’s a lot of potential human connection and understanding in store there.

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?

I’d love to live on a Greek island, like Corfu or Syros. The culture, cuisine, architecture, history and landscapes of Greece are intriguing. I’ve also heard that living near large bodies of water puts the little things in life in perspective, and this is a theory I would like to test out – the Mediterranean/Aegean/Ionian Seas are calling my name.

Oh, and there’s always the possibility of my island neighbours breaking out into ABBA song routines (just kidding!).

What have you been doing to self-care during the pandemic?

Reading, staying virtually connected with friends, online shopping, leaning into spirituality, not checking my email on weekends, and allowing myself to take it one day at a time.

What’s the hardest part about working virtually for you? The easiest?

Not getting to work near my peers and friends is the most difficult part about the virtual transition. “Studying” used to be a whole event that mandated group coffee hunting and running into people between library bookshelves. Now, the absence of campus atmosphere makes it feel like there is less balance between work and play.

The easiest aspects about working virtually are getting to be around my family all the time, living in groutfits, and just not having to get out of bed at 7am.

While at Mac, did you receive donor-funded financial assistance (e.g., a scholarship, award, bursary)? Any thoughts on the importance of giving back to your alma mater to support future generations?

I received an entrance scholarship when coming to Mac, as well as a French-Humanities prize during my time here. I think it’s great to support students, if in a position to do so, to encourage and foster the development of future learners. I hope that I can continue to give back to a place that has given me so much, and I hope that students coming to Mac know that upper-years have their back.