I have always been afraid. When I was small, I feared the dark because of what I couldn’t see in it. As I grew older, my fear of the unknown held me back from pursuing what I desired. I remember that in fifth grade, there was a talent show I desperately wanted to do. I knew what song I wanted to sing and exactly what I wanted to wear. However, I ended up participating the following year. I didn’t even do it for myself but rather because my friend was too afraid to do it alone. I offered to do it with her which gave her the courage to participate. She was grateful for my offer, and we had fun doing it together. When I was in high school, there was another opportunity for me to participate in a talent show. Unfortunately, I let my fear hold me back once again. There was no frightened friend for me to do it with. To this day, I regret not stepping out of my comfort zone and taking a chance. Seeing everyone participate year after year made me wish I could be as brave one day.
I realized that I am at my bravest when I am standing up for others. In these moments, I am able to take risks and inspire others to be brave. My bravery always came when it was for someone else.
These experiences have greatly influenced my decision to pursue a career in law. I believe strongly in speaking up for others who may not have a voice to do it all on their own. That is how I see lawyers. That is the kind of lawyer I would want to be. The world is full of injustice, and I believe we should all take our part in righting wrongs. While I understand that not every case will result in compensation for the victim, I am determined to make a positive impact in my chosen field, family law. My interest in family law stems from the importance that family holds in my culture. In African culture, family is one of the most crucial things. It is important to have that community around you. I know that my family’s experience with immigration would have been completely different had we not had the family we have. My parents would not have been able to provide a place for us to sleep or even find work if they didn’t surround themselves with people they trusted. For me, family is not only people who you are related to but people who will unwaveringly support you and take care of you. This belief is what drives me to fight for the rights of individuals within a family unit, whether they be children or spouses. No one should feel unsafe, unheard, or unprotected in their family. Everyone has the right to feel comfortable in their family. This is what makes me want to be a family lawyer.
I considered different law schools but was ultimately drawn to McGill Law School. The unique aspects of this program such as the dual degree, the travel opportunities and its bilingualism made it my first choice. I think it is more advantageous for me to receive both a common law degree and a civil law degree. I do not want to be confined to Quebec to practise law. I aspire to be a versatile lawyer with the ability to practise in various regions of Canada. I also want the opportunity to travel during my studies. I think it’s important to visit other countries, especially during those pivotal years, to broaden my outlook. I want to see how law is done, seen and practised in other countries. I want to see how different lawyers deal with cases in other parts of the world. The bilingual aspect of the program also appeals to me. My entire DEC was completely bilingual. I can attest that although it had its challenges, it made me more comfortable studying in English, without compromising my proficiency in French. Bilingual studies will allow me to effectively communicate with clients and colleagues in both French and English, making me a valuable asset in a bilingual country like Canada. For all these reasons, I would enjoy the opportunity to study law at McGill University. I know that starting my studies at this university will pave the path for my future.