His altruistic efforts did not go unnoticed. Two years in a row, in both 2013 and 2014, Kassam was one of just five elite students annually awarded the University of Alberta’s prestigious Peter Lougheed Scholarship. Although initially surprised to be selected for the award, Kassam believes he won because he was doing things he was genuinely passionate about. “There may not have been big fancy titles in the positions I held while volunteering,” he says, “but each experience connected closely to who I am, what I enjoy doing, and how working with less privileged communities is what I hope to do throughout my career.”
Story by Kristy Condon for University of Alberta
Set on achieving his dream of becoming a world-famous heart surgeon, Shehzad “Shez” Kassam took his goal of getting into medical school seriously, pursuing any and all opportunities he could find to strengthen his CV. However, after his first year of studies, Kassam landed a summer research studentship working on a project focused on understanding cultural barriers for international medical graduates coming to Canada—and the experience initiated a major perspective shift for the undergrad.
As a first-generation Canadian, Kassam understood many of the struggles that his own family faced when they arrived in Canada, and found that the research topic resonated deeply with him. “It is hard to continue thinking about myself when I know that people in our own communities, and especially around the world, may never have the same fighting chance simply due to their circumstances,” he says. “Before, I had only considered a career which would benefit me the most—and now, I see my future career as a chance to make a greater difference in the world.”
More Winning more than awards: the journey of an undergrad – Faculty of Science – University of Alberta.
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