Hi, my name is Adesua Egbase. I’m a medical student at the University of Alberta, and I’m a daughter of immigrant parents who came to Canada from Nigeria. Not too long ago, I was a pre-medical student navigating medical school applications, waiting seasons, rejection, uncertainty, and the quiet pressure that comes with wanting something deeply.
I’m sharing my story with Healthcaring Differently because I know how isolating this journey can feel for both students and parents, especially within immigrant families. Representation matters, and sometimes simply knowing that someone who looks like you once stood where you stand can offer hope.
As a pre-med student, I remember my parents often sitting me down and asking, “What’s your plan?” — out of love and concern. The truth was, my plans were in limbo and largely out of my control.
Waiting does not mean your child is unmotivated, unprepared, or lacking direction.
Here’s the reality many parents may not realize: January is often a waiting season for pre-med students. It’s a time spent waiting for final grades, MCAT scores, decisions about research funding, and invitations to medical school interviews that were applied for months earlier.
Waiting does not mean your child is unmotivated, unprepared, or lacking direction. It simply means they are navigating uncertainty in a process where many outcomes are beyond their control. One of the most powerful things you can do is walk alongside your child rather than pushing them to cross bridges before they arrive.
When parents show interest in who their child is becoming beyond applications and interviews, it helps students feel grounded and supported. It reminds them that their lives are not on pause — that medicine can remain important without being everything.
