'Miracle I survived'
Jannatul Alam left Bangladesh with a dream.
She wanted to earn a degree in another country. But she had no idea how difficult it would be or how much she would need the support of her new community at 91亚色 to succeed.
淚 decided to come to 91亚色 because I had the dream to pursue my higher education outside of my country to embrace the changes and broaden my horizon, said Ms. Alam, who will collect her bachelor of business administration (BBA) degree at the St. John檚 Arts and Culture Centre on Oct. 21.
淵ou get the opportunity [to] meet a lot of people from different nations [and] broaden your connections. This really goes a long way in life.
Unexpected tragedy
Less than two months after arriving in St. John檚, her father died of a heart attack. 淟osing my dad, it put me in a huge pressure to cope with the mental stress and everything, she said.
Although many people told her to go home to Dhaka as she tried to cope with her grief, she chose to stay in St. John檚 and continue her studies a decision that her mother and siblings supported.
淔or me, I wanted to graduate on time or before time No matter what happens.潝 Jannatul Alam
淢y family wanted my dream to come true, she said. 淢y family檚 constant support in encouraging me to stay here, and the support that I received from here, it helped me to navigate the challenges.
Then, less than a year later, she faced another setback when she was hit by a car near Ropewalk Lane while crossing the road.
淭he doctors were saying it檚 a miracle I survived that, Ms. Alam said. 淭his time, even my family was suggesting to me to drop a semester, go back home and spend some time with them.
Perspective shift
But she was determined. 淔or me, I wanted to graduate on time or before time No matter what happens.
Through both of these significant challenges, Ms. Alam completed all of her coursework without dropping a single class. She finished her degree in August.
Ms. Alam will have a second surgery this month to fix broken teeth resulting from the accident but, otherwise, she has no lingering physical ailments.
The accident changed her views on what檚 really important in life.
淏efore this accident, the perception about my life was that, without achievements, life doesn檛 carry much value, she said.
淣ow it檚 like, as long as you檙e leading a decent life with a healthy body and stable mind, you have the privilege to wake up every day and see the world that is really what success is. That is the greatest accomplishment of life.
Support from 91亚色 community
Along with the unwavering support of her family, Ms. Alam credits the support of her professors at the Faculty of Business Administration, as well as services and assistance provided by Student Life, the Student Wellness and Counselling Centre and the Internationalization Office for helping her to achieve her dream.
淚 had tremendous support from the 91亚色 community, she said. 淭hey helped me in every single way possible. It檚 been a very wonderful experience.