As part of our Spring Convocation 2025 coverage, we asked graduates from our six Schools to share their experiences of completing a degree in McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Here, we meet Class of 2025 member Wesal Elgretli from the Department of Medicine. Wesal completed her Master of Science in Experimental Medicine and received her degree at the Spring Convocation Ceremony on May 27. Congratulations Wesal!
Name: Wesal Elgretli
Degree: Master of Science (Experimental Medicine)
What did you love most about studying in McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences?
I loved being part of a diverse, intellectually stimulating environment where I could grow both academically and personally.
If you could change one thing in the world to make it better, what would you choose?
I would change the way people are judged based on their appearances, accents or backgrounds. Everyone deserves to be seen for their potential, values, and efforts, not assumptions or stereotypes.
Please share a particularly proud or challenging moment from your degree?
Balancing being a mom of three while completing my manuscript was a proud and challenging milestone. Receiving the highly competitive CanHepC fellowship, which supported my research, was another meaningful achievement. Looking back, I believe every step truly mattered.
A catch phrase that defines the past few years as a student at McGill?
“This too shall pass.” Whenever I faced a difficulty, I reminded myself of all the challenges I had already overcome, and all the achievements I had made along the way.
Shoutout?
I deeply appreciate my parents for their constant prayers, my husband for his unwavering support, and my children for being my greatest source of motivation. They all truly made the difference.
Top tip for incoming students in your program?
Don’t aim for perfection, focus on consistency, ask for help when needed, and trust that every small step counts.