yasamin sayid ‘iislim

Since childhood, I grew up in a home filled with elderly family members. Seeing them suffer deeply saddened me, and we lost two of them simply because no one had enough basic first aid knowledge. That moment made me realize—I didn’t want to be just a bystander; I wanted to make a difference in their lives. I worked hard to reach medical school, traveling and building dreams, hopes, and ambitions. Through the difficult years, I held onto a quote by Imam Al-Shafi’i, who said that medicine is one of the noblest sciences.

Seeing how a doctor can ease someone’s pain made me certain—this is what I want to dedicate my life to. The decision wasn’t easy; I knew the journey would be long and full of challenges. But I was never drawn to easy paths—the joy of reaching a goal after hardship is far greater than taking the easy way. The thought that one day, I might help a patient or save a life makes every struggle worthwhile.

To me, medicine is not just a profession—it is a perfect blend of science, continuous learning, and humanity, making it the ideal field for my passion. It is a life mission, a commitment, and a sacrifice—one that I owe to others and to myself—to give my all and make a real impact.

I am grateful to the Freedom Organization for being part of this journey, especially in the midst of war. After losing my brother, the sole provider for our home—yes, I lost two brothers in the first days of the war—I pushed forward despite everything. Now, I am working on a plan to begin preparing for the USMLE, with the goal of specializing in surgery, inshallah.