From Adversity to Aspiration — Yasir Essar’s Global Health Journey

Yasir began his post-secondary journey by completing a bachelor’s degree in dentistry in Kabul. However, his interest in the community approach to solving problems led him to public health research on the COVID-19 response in Afghanistan. This experience broadened his understanding of global health and allowed him to connect with professors worldwide. Recognizing the alignment of his passion for connecting with people and sharing his country’s stories, Yasir later pursued Global Health to further his academic career. In this interview with Dr. Sujane Kandasamy, Yasir discusses his experiences as a refugee, life before, during and after Global Health at McMaster University, and his professional interests.

A Changing World: After his bachelor’s, Yasir’s initial plan was to work for the Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan for one year and then do a Master’s in Public Health. However, when Afghanistan’s government began collapsing in 2021, his family made the difficult decision to leave the country for Tajikistan. When they made the move, Yasir’s plans ground to a halt—he could no longer continue his dental practice and had to quickly leave without most of his documents. Yasir had now started a new life as a refugee—and as a voice for refugees. During his time in Tajikistan, he began sharing Afghanistan’s story and his lived experience as a refugee, while conducting research on global health and human rights issues and connecting with Canadian and British universities. This is when he applied to McMaster’s Global Health program.

A New Country, A New Program: After fleeing Afghanistan, Yasir did not have access to many educational or work opportunities. However, his thirst for knowledge led him to keep up with literature through online resources and attend virtual conferences. Thanks to supportive mentors who advocated for him and connected him to funding opportunities, in January 2023, Yasir was able to move to Canada to join the Global Health program. He enjoyed the globalization course and believes that his lived experience with facing language barriers, limited access to opportunities and mental health supports has enabled him to approach courses like refugee health with a unique perspective. In his summer practicum, Yasir was fortunate to work as a research assistant with Dr. Madhukar Pai’s team on a tuberculosis research project at The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre.

After Global Health: After completing his Master’s in Global Health, Yasir joined the Alberta International Medical Graduates Association (AIMGA), an organization that helps internationally trained physicians integrate into the Canadian health system. Yasir works as a project coordinator in a project that is funded by Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to raise the vaccine literacy and confidence of newcomers and immigrants.  In his current role, Yasir works with the newcomers and immigrants in Alberta by providing them vaccine navigation support and conducting webinars and conferences about vaccine related misinformation. Yasir enjoys giving back to the community by raising awareness about the importance of the vaccines.

Advice for Current Students: Yasir’s biggest piece of advice for current students is to start networking with the incredible people within the Global Health field. During his time in the program, Yasir recalls connecting with many inspiring academics through LinkedIn and Twitter. Yasir also implores current students to head out into the community. He is a strong believer in not just getting tied up in the books but rather, using the program as an opportunity to engage with the community, look for problems, and find solutions. Yasir also encourages students to reflect on how their acquired knowledge connects with their personal experiences. Every day after coming home from work, Yasir finds that writing down the things he’s learned and experienced helps clear his mind and fuels his creativity.

From his experiences in Afghanistan and Tajikistan to completing his Master’s in Global Health, to dedicating himself to supporting the refugee and immigrant community, Yasir’s remarkable journey not only showcases his resilience and passion but also inspires current and future students in the global health field.