Meryem El Moutaouakkil

I am currently a fourth-year undergraduate student in a five-year program combining Chemical Engineering and Computing Technology. My academic journey has been anything but linear. I first began studying engineering in Morocco right after the pandemic, as my father’s Canadian permanent residency application was still being processed. I was preparing for final exams and competitive engineering school applications when my family suddenly received permanent residency. At that moment, I faced a difficult decision: stay in Morocco, continue my degree and risk being separated from my family long-term, or start fresh in a new country surrounded by the people I love. I chose my family. I applied for the few programs still open at the university of Ottawa and began my first year in political and economic science. As soon as I could, I changed my program and eventually found the academic path I am on today.

The past few years taught me resilience more than anything else. I have experienced moments where I felt lost, questioned my decisions, and struggled to keep up. Last year, the pressure finally caught up with me—I lost friends, failed some classes, and barely passed others. It was a difficult time, but it also became a turning point. If there is one thing I consistently rely on within myself, it is my ability to get back up, even when things feel overwhelming.

I am taking active steps this year to improve my academic performance and overall well-being. I am dedicating more time to studying, volunteering again, and prioritizing self-care. I took the step to move out on my own and live closer to campus, giving myself the space to focus and grow. I am learning to be more honest with myself, set aside the weight of others’ expectations, and explore my own values. More than anything, I am becoming a more supportive, grounded, and present person—for myself and for the people around me. I am also revisiting my old hobbies and discovering what I like. I enjoy reading novels, and rewatching my comfort shows such as Criminal minds and Gilmore Girls. I even went back to playing PvZ 2.