Have you met Khadija, International Recruitment Coordinator for U of A International? Spend a few minutes getting to know her a little better.
What is your first U of A memory?
In high school, I would attend U18 women's field hockey team practices on the turf behind Lister Centre. My first memory as a freshman was snagging the last seat in the back of a packed Poli Sci 100 lecture in Tory next to a very cute guy … we still keep in touch!
What's something your coworkers don't know about you?
I am quite extroverted and have a tendency to overshare, so I don't think anything about me at this point would surprise them! I am very fortunate to have a great relationship with the international recruitment team. Maybe that I had a pet budgie growing up named Charlie? He was green and gold - my favorite colours ☺
What's your favourite distraction?
Binge-watching historical dramas like The Tudors, The Medicis or The Last Kingdom! Destiny Is All!
If you were enrolling in one course, program or degree right now, what would it be?
Probably a Master's degree program in Intercultural Communication or International Education. I have always been interested in the role universities play in building civil society and how communication has transformed, as we become a more globalized world.
What's a weird pet peeve you have?
I CANNOT STAND IT when the last person to exit a room leaves the lights on! I have a bizarre need to make sure the lights are off in an empty room at all times, especially at my place.
You can invite anyone - alive or dead, real or fictional - to dinner. Who would it be?
That's a tough one. I would pick either my paternal grandmother, who I was named after but never met, or Frida Kahlo because she was an unapologetic, boss-lady of an artist and she is one of my inspirations.
If you could see any live performance tomorrow, what would it be?
I would have given anything to see Michael Jackson live in concert. Right now though, I would probably say the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience because I'm a huge fanatic and I'm still not over that crappy series ending …
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
I would tell her to worry less and enjoy more because everything is going to be all right! I'd tell her to take advantage of every opportunity, rise to every challenge and take more risks … the glory of your youth shall never return!
What's one thing you can't live without?
My amazing friends who have made a pandemic more bearable! Oh, and a strong cup of dark roast in the morning.
What three words describe your U of A experience?
Memorable. Rewarding. Transformative.
About Khadija
Khadija has been the International Recruitment Coordinator, Middle East & Africa since 2012, working previously at UAI with the Sponsored Student Program and the Visiting Student Program. Khadija enjoys travelling for work and for leisure, has visited over 50 countries, and has also lived and worked as an English teacher for 2 years in Okinawa, Japan. She is a self-professed foodie, who loves cooking for friends, singing karaoke, playing ball hockey, dragon boat racing and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. Khadija is a polyglot and speaks French, Spanish, Japanese, Kutchi, Gujarati and Hindi fluently as well as conversational Turkish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu.