Up Close … with Dr Salma Farook, medical practitioner with a passion for poetry and the written word |05 June 2018

‘My dream is to touch as many lives as possible with my writing’

This week meet 25-year-old Dr Salma Farook, a certified medical practitioner from Beau Vallon who also has a passion for poetry and the written word. Seychelles NATION caught up with her during her brief stay in Seychelles to discover more about the ambitious and inspiring young woman.

Q: What do you see as your biggest accomplishment?

A: I think my biggest accomplishment is coming out of medical school successfully (with my sanity still intact), and also writing and publishing my first book, ‘What Your Soul Already Knows’. Since I was a child these are two things I wanted above all: my passions. To become a doctor, to become a writer. Who said the things we love are easy to do though? They are definitely not. So I’m proud of myself for making it on both counts, and grateful to God for making it possible and my family for their never-ending support.

Q: Tell us more about your family and upbringing?

A: I was born in Victoria Hospital on June 12, 1993. I grew up in Seychelles, but as my parents are originally from India, we would often go for holidays there. I believe I got the best of both worlds: the incredible scenic beauty and loving nature of Seychelles and the cultural impact of an ancient civilization like India.

I have three younger sisters, so my house is usually filled with energy, happiness, and inside jokes. My parents -- although we don’t always agree about everything -- have always been incredibly supportive.

Q: Tell us more about your school life

A: I completed primary school at Bel Eau school. For secondary I did two years at Mont Fleuri then three years at Independent School. From there, I went on to do A-levels at the School of Advanced Level Studies. We have a stellar education system, and I urge the youth of today to make use of the endless possibilities it represents.

Q: When did you discover your passion for writing?

A: I started writing at a very young age. I’ve always loved reading and writing. When I was a kid I used to make up short stories in my head and scribble them away in notebooks. I also enjoy writing poetry. Writing is the method of expression that comes most naturally to me, it’s my form of catharsis; I couldn’t live without it.

Q: Tell us more about your book? What’s the story behind it?

A: ‘What Your Soul Already Knows’ is a collection of thoughts, insights and reminders on how to live a happier and more fulfilling life. It is a self-help/ motivational book. It’s available as ebook and paperback on websites such as Amazon, Kobo, iBooks and Barnes and Noble.

During med-school, I stopped writing because I was so busy, and after five years I was afraid that I had lost that part of me. I forced myself to start writing again, a little bit every day. I used writing prompts and asked friends for ideas, and often times they would ask me things like, “You always find it easy to convince people, write about how you do that?” or “Tell me how you manage to be happy all the time?” I started thinking and writing in answer, and it eventually evolved into this book.

Q: Give us an account of your life as a medical student

A: I just completed my five and a half years course, and now have my MBBS degree – Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. I studied in India, on a scholarship from ANHRD. To be honest, initially, it was very difficult for me. The education system was quite different from here, but somehow I made it through. It is time-consuming and demands a lot of emotional and physical energy, but in the end it’s totally worth it. Over these five years, I have changed so much as a person too. In internship you see a lot of life and death situations and that really gives you a different, clear perspective about everything.

Q: How was it to be away from your family?

A: Horrible. I missed them terribly, especially the first year, when the homesickness was at its worst. On the flip side though, I learned to live independently, and stand on my own two feet. I made really amazing friends, and without them I would have been lost.

If you asked me what I missed the most, that would be my mom’s food (there’s nothing like it) and the breath-taking, pristine beaches of Seychelles.

Q: What field do you want to specialise in?

A: I will soon be starting to work in Seychelles, most probably at the Seychelles Hospital. I want to specialise in General Medicine, because it is the specialty with the most variety of cases, and involves a lot of people skills, which I enjoy.

Q: What are your aspirations in regards to your writing?

A: I hope to write many more books. My dream is to touch as many lives as possible with my writing, and I will continue to work on that.

Q: What are your other passions and hobbies?

A: I love travelling, and I’m always planning some trip or another in my head. I want to see at least a hundred different countries in my lifetime.

Reading is another favourite past-time; I especially love mystery and thrillers.

Also, I can’t live without chocolate. I have a major sweet-tooth.

Q: Current family life?

A: I’m married to the love of my life. He’s a pillar of support and motivation in everything I do.

Q: Words of encouragement for others?

A: Live your life intentionally. By that I mean be clear as to what you want to achieve with your life. Right now, the average world life expectancy is around 70 years. What are you going to do with that time? How are you going to make a difference?

Study hard, work hard, keep improving yourself so you can reach the goals you set for yourself.

Lastly, do not be afraid to put yourself out there. Write that book. Step on that stage. Take that first step on your dreams. Yes, you might fail. Yes, the world might knock you down, and probably will, again and again.

But, it’s not about what the world can do to you.

It’s about what you can do to the world.

And you?

You can do wonders.

By Elsie Pointe