Growing up, I wanted to be so many things: actress, singer, doctor, author, teacher, artist, poet, gymnast, swimmer, lawyer, architect, politician, ustazah, and the list goes on. Perhaps that is the problem with being a Jack of all trades, and unfortunately, a Master of none, for the path that I took to where I am today has been one that had been fraught with various unexpected twists and turns, unlike many who seemed to have always known their calling and had a specific goal in mind into which they could put their heart and soul. I have since learned to place my faith in Allah SWT's plans for me and be contented that they are what is best for me, especially in the long run.
There is not a day that goes by without me feeling extremely blessed for everything Allah SWT has given me in this life, and indeed, He has looked after me so well through all my ups and downs, alhamdulillah. I do not come from a wealthy family, and I have been most blessed that my education all these years have been paid for through scholarships, alhamdulillah. I have also been most blessed for growing up in Singapore, a meritocratic country where we did not have to deal with explicit discrimination based on our skin colour, religion, or mother tongue, and all we had to do (usually) was to study hard to do well in school. That said, it is undeniable that I am part of an ethnic minority in society, and the challenge is tripled by being a female Muslim who wears the hijab, or headscarf, a symbol that easily identifies my religion; with that identification comes a set of beliefs and behaviour presumed by people, and such presumptions do not always lead to positive attitudes. Yet, here I am, with the grace of Allah SWT, trying to survive graduate school thousands of miles away from home and get my PhD in Psychology, and at the same time, hoping to inspire other Muslim sisters to seek knowledge in all areas, for with knowledge comes an understanding of the world that will earn the respect of others as well as the pleasure of Allah SWT, insha-Allah.
If you would like any advice about applying to graduate school in the States, or anything in general, do drop me an email. I would love to hear from you. :)
