From Cohort 2019, Hannah Kazemi is starting her first year at SFU, taking an Arts and Social Sciences program. Read more about her story in the Q&A story below.
What is your name?
Hannah Kazemi
What post-secondary school will you be attending?
Simon Fraser University
What program will you be taking in post-secondary and why does it interest you?
I’m in arts and social sciences, undeclared major. Eventually, I think I would like to pursue teaching. I always wanted to be a teacher, but still want to explore options such as criminology, philosophy, etc, so this faculty seemed perfect for me.
Tell us a little bit about your background (growing up, going to school, extra-curricular activities, etc.).
I grew up in North Vancouver and Surrey and have two younger sisters, who are both in high school. I always enjoyed school, and always knew I wanted to go to university. In high school, I was on Student Council for four years, putting in work and eventually earning the position of Vice President. I also got a job in grade 10 with the city of surrey, after volunteering with them for a couple years. I have been working as a program instructor and day camp leader for 2.5 years.
Outside of that, I’ve been playing piano for 13 years, and music is one of my passions. I have accompanied vocal jazz at my high school a couple times, and have performed in varying events and festivals. Finally, I tried to participate in as many events and activities in high school as possible. I was a part of an event called “Imagine”, helped with school announcements, tried out for sports teams and volunteered in many other events.
Who inspires you, and why?
My biggest inspiration is my mom. As a single mother, and as a teacher herself, she has always been the person that I look up to the most. She is the strongest person I know, and is always there to give me advice, help me with whatever I need, and make me laugh when I need it most.
What motivates you, and why?
Traveling is something that is really important to me, and I see it as something that can help me grow and learn about myself. However, traveling comes with a cost, and if I want to see the world, I have to work hard. My passion for travel and new experiences motivates me. I aim to see the world and educate others about different cultures.
What are your goals for the upcoming school year?
This year, I really just want to try out as many new things as possible. I want to try new subjects and classes, make friends and new connections, join some extra curriculars, and get involved in any way possible. Of course I want to keep up with classes and learn as much as I can, but I also want to be able to take in a myriad of new experiences.
What is one thing you learned in high school that you will take with you to post-secondary?
The biggest thing I took away from high school is that it’s good to challenge yourself and push yourself to be the best you can be, but also to take a break once in a while. I find that students put so much stress on themselves to be perfect and be the best, but if you’re not doing things just for the sake of doing them then you’ll burn out quicker. School becomes so much easier when you’re not constantly putting so much pressure on yourself.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to future Luminaries?
One piece of advice I would give to future Luminaries is to keep going with whatever they’re doing, even if it seems like you’re never going to get anywhere. Trust me when I say that hard work definitely pays off, and when it does, it feels so good. Keep working, keep studying, just don’t stop. Even if it seems impossible, I promise you will get there. You may not realize it now, but your passion, drive, determination, and resilience will eventually earn you rewards.
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