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I'm still learning everyday, says Malala as she talks graduation, pandemic and future plans

I'm still learning everyday, says Malala as she talks graduation, pandemic and future plans

Yousafzai says young people are more prepared for the current crisis because they've had a lot of practice fighting for change.
13 Aug, 2020

Education activist, young Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and now an Oxford graduate, Malala Yousaafzai, is not only a vital voice for a new generation that seems to have inherited a broken world but is also a leader who aspires to change it.

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Yousafzai explains that her virtual graduation was "not the ending she had imagined," and like other 2020 graduates, she didn't get a chance to savour her final months at university, where she was studying PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics).

She recalls, "In March, I packed up a few things from my room at Oxford University—books, shoes, clothes—enough for the three-week Easter break. Months later, I am still at home with my parents." When she returned to collect her things from her room, the bushes and lawn were overgrown, the food-delivery drivers had vanished and the entire campus was quiet.

According to Yousafzai, education is so much more than a reading list or a syllabus and for many, college is the first real experience with independence.

She continues, "We set our own schedules—even small decisions like what to eat or how to spend a Sunday are thrilling. In my early days at Oxford, a senior student told me that university life is sleeping, studying, and socializing—and you can only pick two. I found it hard to do even two, so study and sleep were mostly sacrificed."

What Yousafzai misses most from her co-curricular college life include watching cricket matches and college balls, being part of the Pakistan Society, Oxford Union, and more importantly visiting the pub with her friends— she doesn't drink but enjoyed being the only sober one in a group of students arguing over Brexit.

Although, she says she still hasn't mastered the art of doing laundry.

Malala with friends at Oxford
Malala with friends at Oxford

But more importantly, Yousafzai is looking to the future, though she's cognizant of the new reality all of us, especially young people, find themselves in —a global pandemic, an economic recession, racism, inequality, and a most uncertain future.

She understands that a lot of work will fall on the shoulders of young people. "We watched while those in power failed to protect refugees and religious minorities, stop attacks on schools, ensure justice for Black and brown people, or even acknowledge that climate change exists. We have grown up knowing that the world we inherit will be broken."

Yousafzai feels in many ways, young people are more prepared for the current crisis because they've had a lot of practice fighting for change.

"I could fill every page of this magazine with the names and stories of young people, especially girls, who have sparked movements, used technology to solve a problem in their communities, created art to show the world from their perspective, and so much more. A willingness to work hard for change and the courage to believe we can achieve our goals are defining qualities of my generation."

To all the children, she says, “You don’t have to wait to be an adult to be a leader. Young people are leading, but our world has too many problems for one generation to solve."

Her advice to elders? "It’s not too late for you to change."

Comments

Haseeb Aug 13, 2020 02:32pm
What does she mean by STILL ? At her age and even during each and every day in life we learn.. what's so special here
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Chrís Dăn Aug 13, 2020 02:50pm
A great young lady. A highly educated lady with a lot of experience from tough life. The best possible woman leader-Pakistan can ever have as the Prime Minister. However,it is beyond comprehension why she is not generally liked in Pakistan? A complex? Some jealousy? She can be a future Ms.Harris,if Pakistan people learn to take pride in our self made heroes in politics.
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Dr. Doctor PhD? Aug 13, 2020 03:17pm
She is the best of Pakistan. Maximum respect and admiration to her and her family
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joe Aug 13, 2020 03:50pm
Her advice to elders? "It’s not too late for you to change." When is she returning to " Land of Pures"
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Bala Aug 13, 2020 03:51pm
Come back to Pakistan.
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Jjacky Aug 13, 2020 03:52pm
Finally when u will return to your darling country pakistan and fight for girls education in pakistan ?
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Khan Aug 13, 2020 04:34pm
So what?
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M. Siddique Aug 13, 2020 04:56pm
Bravo Malala, we all love you, just ignore the one who do not know the facts.
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Irshaad New York Aug 13, 2020 05:20pm
Malala is doing what every young girl in her age group would like to do. To be free, and to experiemce the world in their own eyes and to think and hope for a better future. She has realized what it means to have real freedom from the prying eyes of society. She is very happy where she is, and she will never come back.
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Himmat Aug 13, 2020 05:28pm
Go to your own country and do something for your own people.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Aug 13, 2020 05:56pm
No doubt, the process of learning and acquiring knowledge is a cradle-to-grave operation, which never ceases or stops in between.
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D’Souza Aug 13, 2020 06:00pm
“ I found it hard to do even two, so study and sleep were mostly sacrificed”- study was “sacrificed”. Great !
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Imran Aug 13, 2020 06:40pm
@Haseeb You seem to be upset. I don't understand grown men with so much vitriol against this young girl.
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Imran Aug 13, 2020 06:41pm
Always interested in Pakistani achievers, Malala, and all.
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Sand Aug 13, 2020 07:52pm
She is talking as if she is 90 years old . At her age learning us a natural process. As people grow old they decide not to learn new things, because of biases/ belifs. She shouldn't have such issue right?
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Ali Gohar Aug 13, 2020 08:26pm
@Haseeb What wrong with someone, young or old, saying she is still learning everyday. Why this cynicism dude.
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Sriniwas Aug 13, 2020 10:32pm
Netflix, read and sleep. People expect more from a noble peace Prize winner.
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Aam Aadmi Aug 13, 2020 11:48pm
Thank you for telling adults that it is not too late to learn. We already know that. Grow up and stop lecturing When are you learning how to do laundry and cooking? At your age the girls in S Asia are expert in these skills while also completing their more difficult Engineering and Medical degrees.
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Reader Aug 13, 2020 11:58pm
Is she returning to Pakistan to serve the nation?
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Syed Ali Aug 14, 2020 12:05am
Yousufzai, you are talented and people have confidence in you, please write book on history of education in Pakistan and new trends in it.
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Pandar Pindi Aug 14, 2020 02:43am
Great lady being groomed for great things, which us feeble minded folk can’t comprehend we all salute you oh great one.
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Laila Aug 14, 2020 03:07am
I wish her all the best in the future and in life. Such an accomplished young lady.
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RationalBabu Aug 14, 2020 03:16am
@Imran let’s hope you guys will be grateful for accepting her and giving her the opportunities with every single penny paid for by the British taxpayers!
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RZY Aug 14, 2020 03:34am
She needs to go into foreign service. Her public narratives are so diplomatic, rehearsed, prepped and predictable that she would do well in the diplomatic encore. Reminds me of professional politicians like Hillary Rodman Clinton.
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Ali S Aug 14, 2020 08:09am
She was the diamond in the rough that Pakistan missed out on and (the small-minded majority) still refuses to recognize. Fortunately for her the rest of the world saw it.
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Bye_Bye Aug 14, 2020 10:59pm
Not ready yet, wait till you get the green signal by ......
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Dawood Shah Sindh Aug 15, 2020 05:45am
when u coming Pakistan and serving local girl.
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Dr. Habib A. Zuberi Aug 15, 2020 07:51am
Young lady Malala, you are young but you moved when you were even younger. Stay course, study hard and be focused on what you plan to do. Among other things you intend to do keep education for women at the top in Pakistan as well as every where. You think and you act. These are the two great qualities in you. I am sure you will do what you think is right. I wish a great success in whatever you choose to do.
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