'I knew I wanted to go into medicine so I chose biology, physics and chemistry for my Cambridge International A Level courses,' says Laaibah Ejaz, a former student of Roots College International in Islamabad, Pakistan.
'The courses helped me develop and strengthen my understanding of the key concepts I would later build on at medical school, especially biology,' she says. ‘My Cambridge studies also encouraged discipline and helped me to develop revision strategies which again proved very useful during my medical degree.'
Laaibah studied medicine at the Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. ‘The skills I gained at Cambridge International A Level helped me to consolidate my learning at university with the result that I attained honours in all my basic science courses,' she says.
'Cambridge International A Levels helped me develop and strengthen my understanding of the key concepts I would later build on at medical school'
Laaibah graduated in 2019 as an MBBS doctor, and went on to gain a residency in the USA: 'I am now a Paediatric Resident Physician at the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse, New York State. I started my residency during the Covid-19 pandemic which was challenging, but at the same time it’s been a huge privilege to be actively involved in patient care at the ‘front line’, and at a time when health care workers have been needed most.'
'My Cambridge studies encouraged discipline and helped me to develop revision strategies which proved very useful during my medical degree.'
Looking ahead, Laaibah hopes to gain a fellowship in a paediatric subspecialty ('I haven’t yet decided which'), while her brother is now following in her career footsteps: 'He’s now studying Cambridge International A Levels, and has opted for the same subjects as he also wants to go to medical school,' she says.