Kareem’s Chronicles: From Al-Arish to Barcelona with a Dash of Sinai

Web manager - Team IVAA
Jan 28, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Sep 24, 2024

(Edit: By wish of Kareem an edit has been done on the text in September 2024)

With a Ronaldo inspired back brush and a fan following of 90K, our Human of LIVE is a talented pharmacist and to-be vaccinologist. He has a flair for writing and a beautiful story to tell; one that has a dash of football, a handful of camaraderie, a unique story of making it to Barcelona to join his first semester. In the 5th episode of Humans of LIVE, IVAA presents Kareem Galal from the Kariko Promotion.

A Window to My Very Own World

I'm a pharmacist originally from the stunning city of Al-Arish in Egypt, nestled by the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Growing up in a close-knit family with two wonderful sisters and a brother in secondary school, I found my first passion in football. Becoming quite well-known in my city for my skills, I cherished moments where I scored in significant matches and even traveled between cities for the game. My football hero was Cristiano Ronaldo. I even styled my hair and adopted his football moves.

My dedication to football taught me invaluable lessons in teamwork, leadership, and effective communication between the team members . I'm grateful for those experiences as they paved the way for my journey into becoming a vaccinologist. Despite the challenge of balancing studies and football, I pursued both passionately. Eventually, I embarked on a new chapter, pursuing a pharmacy degree at Sinai University.

Omar and the Goalpost

Recalling my early years in Al-Arish, a significant event from my final year of primary school comes to mind. It occurred during a distinctive sports day where all classes united to determine a football champion. My friend Omar played a crucial role by passing me the ball, leading to an unforgettable goal with a double kick. That moment taught me the value of brotherhood. Omar and I share a 23-year friendship marked by mutual support and enduring camaraderie.

A Puzzle of Perseverance

Learning from my mistakes has been a crucial aspect of my journey. My passion for mathematics was evident when I once challenged my professor. He presented me with a particularly challenging equation that initially stumped me, but it became a valuable learning experience. The eventual solution was not only stunning but served as a lesson in perseverance.

A year later, my professor, perhaps forgetting our previous encounter, presented me with the same equation, albeit with different numbers. He confidently asserted that I would never be able to solve it due to its complexity. To his surprise, I swiftly and successfully solved the equation in just a few seconds, reminding him that he had given me the same puzzle the previous year.

At the end of the day, variables will keep changing, that’s what they do. My constant to solving the puzzles remains constant.

Aspirations and Inspirations

As I transitioned to university life, the struggle between focusing on grades and genuine understanding of the subjects became increasingly apparent. Despite societal expectations nudging me towards a career in pharmacy, I resisted, acknowledging my lack of qualification for such responsibilities. Instead, my aspirations leaned towards pursuing a master's degree abroad. Until this dream turned into reality.

I decided to foster my knowledge to be able to work temporarily in a pharmacy till get an admission to study abroad so I committed three months to intensive study, immersing myself in various topics like drug-drug interactions and alternative methods to solve the side effects which inspired me to create a Facebook page where I shared my pharmaceutical insights. The page garnered immense popularity, attracting nearly 90k followers. Encouraged by this, I set my sights on reaching a million followers to make a broader impact.

While eagerly awaiting the results of my application to the LIVE master's program, a pivotal message from Prof. Peter brought the exhilarating news of my admission. Overjoyed, I couldn't contain my excitement and woke my entire family in the middle of the night to share the news. Happiness knew no bounds.

Every Story Has a Hitch

It was a joyous time. I was all set to spread my wings when my journey faced an unexpected hurdle. The need for a military permit to travel abroad jeopardized my chances. Despite multiple setbacks and losing hope, a timely Facebook post connected me with someone facing a similar situation. Hiring a lawyer a day before my flight miraculously resolved the permit issue.

Life in the LIVE program proved transformative, especially in Barcelona, where I fulfilled a dream by witnessing a match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich, my favorite teams in the Champions League.

Life These Days

Currently, I find myself in Grenoble, undergoing an internship in immunometabolism. Amidst this, I am savoring moments with my Moroccan friend, Salah, in a nice apartment nestled by the majestic Grenoble mountains while watching CAF matches at home.

Reflecting on this incredible journey, I am profoundly grateful to the program for revealing untapped potential, guiding me to the deepest realms of my soul, and motivating me to pursue goals that resonate with my authentic desires, free from societal expectations.

In conclusion, I express profound appreciation to the program that unearthed my potential, encouraging me to delve deep into my soul and pursue authentic dreams. This journey underscores the importance of pursuing what one genuinely desires, unburdened by societal expectations.