Ali Damji
To say that Faculty of Medicine student Ali Damji is a busy person is an understatement. As the Canadian Federation of Medical Students Representative, Ontario Medical Students’ Association Executive Councillor, U of T American College of Physicians chapter coordinator and a volunteer for Kids2Hear (a program which coordinates early-detection hearing tests for young children), Ali admits that balancing academics and co-curricular activities can be a challenge- but one that is well worth the effort. “As a second-entry student, while I’m definitely a lot busier with schoolwork, I’ve still found time to discover what I’m passionate about and get involved in student life.”
With dedication and savvy time-management, Ali has been able to take advantage of some amazing opportunities made possible by his engagement in student life. He fondly recalls his favourite experience thus far, travelling to Vancouver to represent the school’s medical students at the Canadian Federation of Medical Students 2013 Fall Meeting. Creating an active university experience has also allowed Ali to give back to his community and develop himself through meaningful connections forged with both his U of T peers and colleagues around the world.
Throughout his time at U of T, Ali’s horizons have been broadened, and the school’s vast student life offerings have allowed him to connect his interests and education on a national level. “I’ve found that I’ve been able to learn about issues affecting Canadian society and the medical profession in my academic experiences, and then advocate and address these issues outside of the classroom via involvement in extracurricular activities.”
When it comes to getting involved, Ali believes that it’s all about finding your niche and having fun. With the faculties providing involvement opportunities catering to such a wide array interests, he guarantees that his fellow second-entry students looking to connect outside of the classroom will be able to find their perfect fit. As someone who knows first-hand the struggles of balancing life and studies, Ali’s final advice is simple – work hard, play hard.
via University of Toronto Student Reflections http://life.utoronto.ca/student-reflections/ali-damji/
Undergraduate Medical Education University of Toronto http://www.md.utoronto.ca/program/leadership/LEAD/Meet_the_Class_of_1T7/DAMJI__Ali_N_.htm
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