Africa | A young African Lady named Ya Haddy Sallah from The Gambia has achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a medical doctor after graduating from Yale University in the United States.
Haddy immigrated to the U.S. in pursuit of higher education, beginning her academic journey at Wittenberg University in Ohio. She graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences (Summa Cum Laude).
She then furthered her studies at Washington University in St. Louis, where she obtained a Master’s degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Haddy proceeded to earn a Doctor of Medicine at the Prestigious Yale University and she graduated in 2021.
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Sharing her journey on Twitter, Haddy reflected on the challenges she faced as an immigrant. She recalled being told on her first day in the U.S. that international students rarely gain admission into American medical schools.
”As an immigrant to the US, I was told on my 1st day here that international students rarely (read as never) get accepted into US medical schools. 10 years later, I’m a graduate of the Yale School of Medicine and heading to the residency program of my dreams,” she said.
However, she refused to be discouraged, defied the odds, and persevered for ten years to achieve her dream.
Following her graduation, Haddy secured a spot in her dream residency program at Massachusetts General Hospital, marking the next chapter of her medical career.
Haddy also highlighted the gender inequalities that exist in her home country, Gambia, where female doctors are scarce due to societal barriers. Harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage often prevent girls from continuing their education.
She recalled that growing up, she had never seen a single female doctor, and many of her peers were unable to attend high school. Haddy explained that Gambian girls are expected to prioritize household chores and caregiving, while boys receive more encouragement in school.
Even though the government introduced free secondary education for girls in the early 2000s, financial constraints and traditional expectations still prevented many from pursuing higher education.
Despite these challenges, Haddy found inspiration in the resilience of the women in her community. Their strength reassured her that success was possible, and she is proud to have achieved her dream.
“I knew that medicine was still a possibility for me because I had seen strong women achieve a lot despite the strain placed on them,” she said.
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