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VICKY ABRAHAM|
Raeesah Jadwat’s (19) dream to study Physics and Philosophy at the world’s second-oldest university has come to fruition. This young South African first set foot on Oxford University soil seven years ago while visiting her 70-year-old grandmother Zuby Jadwat in England.
At the time, the 12-year-old Jadwat envisioned herself studying at the prestigious university where there is evidence of teaching from about 1096.
“It was a dream that I voiced as we walked through the streets. I even asked if we could stay there a bit longer,
as I wanted to be immersed in the environment,” said Jadwat who hails from Sandton, Johannesburg.
Scooping up distinctions Jadwat, a top A-Level student at St John’s College in Houghton is among approximately 2,880 students from South Africa who wrote Cambridge International AS and A Level exams in November 2021. She scooped up distinctions in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. She has chosen to study Physics
and Philosophy at the University of Oxford as both these fields deeply intrigue her, and their intersectionality is
the ideal overlap of her interests.
She specifically selected the University of Oxford for several reasons: “The university pioneered the field of
philosophy of science and remains the global leader in the course. I believe the tutorial system of teaching
suits my style of learning and will enable me to engage with the content of study more meaningfully,” said
Jadwat.
She added: “I recently turned 19, so my first bucket list where I wrote ‘go to Oxford’ is now seven years old,
buried somewhere in the boxes of childhood work my parents insist on keeping.”
When she learnt of her acceptance
She heard about her acceptance at the University of Oxford on January 11, 2022.
“My grandmother expressed her joy and pride in me, acknowledging that all the effort that went into reaching
this point was worth it. She added that my (late) grandfather (AK Jadwat) would have mirrored her sentiments
and revealed that his love of Oxford University is what motivated her to take me there on that first trip
without him.”
Jadwat’s parents could not be more proud.
“We were elated by the news as all the hard work and effort that
Raeesah had put in over the years had culminated in her realising her dream. It is every parent’s wish to
witness the realisation of their child’s full potential,” said Jadwat’s parents, Haseena and Ebrahim Jadwat.
Her parents will be paying for her overall fees and she will jet off to England later this year to begin her term of
study in September.
“My parents, who have contributed so heavily to making this dream a reality, will be funding my studies. I am
applying for a scholarship because applications are not yet closed. I will only receive responses later during the
year,” said Jadwat.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Jadwat said that she was raised in a loving and supportive environment, which
encompasses her parents and extended family.
“At a fairly young age, I had mapped out a significant part of the roadmap I had hoped to follow. My parents
were always there to guide and refine my efforts but never to redirect them. I owe a lot to them and my
grandparents for creating an environment that valued my educational development while prioritising my
outlook and my aspirations. I am grateful to have a family that bolstered my efforts.”
Her motivation to work hard stemmed from her enjoyment of learning, especially mathematics and science.
“In that respect, I feel very lucky that I was genuinely interested in the content I studied because the
motivation to work through it did not feel manufactured or forced. The elements of problem-solving in my
subjects attracted me to them, with a sense of satisfaction that followed in grappling with difficult questions
that finally clicked.”
Apart from “self-motivated study, I also credit my environment for being a space that supported academic
commitment”.
Asked what went through her mind when she discovered that her grades were excellent, she said: “There was
an initial shock followed by elation and an overwhelming sense of relief. While I was never resentful of the
amount of work I put in, it felt incredible to see that effort materialise in my results.”
Jadwat said she was not expecting to pass with flying colours.
“No, I was hopeful that everything would work out but not expectant of anything meaningful. Exams are an
anxiety-inducing time and my timetable meant that I wrote most papers in quick succession of one another,
with little time to process my feelings toward one paper before having to move on to the next. Almost two
months of waiting (for results) built up quite a sense of nervousness.”
She said: “There were times when the workload and a self-imposed demand for perfection took its toll. I often
find that one’s harshest critic is oneself, and sometimes that criticism feels insurmountable. What always
helped in overcoming that hopelessness was the unwavering support of those around me.”
Will she return to South Africa?
It will take her four years to complete her degree, Jadwat said. “My only set intention academically is to study
further, to obtain a doctorate in theoretical physics. To that end, I hope to complete my studies at one of the
best institutions possible.”
“A goal I hope to see come to fruition is creating access for women, especially women of colour, in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). I intend to work toward developing that access specifically for
women from South Africa, and Africa more generally, who are severely locked out of academic structures in
science. I would prioritise working as an academic at an institution that would help facilitate such an aim.”
“At a fairly young age, I had mapped out a significant part of the roadmap I had hoped to follow. My parents
were always there to guide and refine my efforts but never to redirect them. I owe a lot to them and my
grandparents for creating an environment that valued my educational development while prioritising my
outlook and my aspirations. I am grateful to have a family that bolstered my efforts.”
Her motivation to work hard stemmed from her enjoyment of learning, especially mathematics and science.
“In that respect, I feel very lucky that I was genuinely interested in the content I studied because the
motivation to work through it did not feel manufactured or forced. The elements of problem-solving in my
subjects attracted me to them, with a sense of satisfaction that followed in grappling with difficult questions
that finally clicked.”
Apart from “self-motivated study, I also credit my environment for being a space that supported academic
commitment”.
When it all paid off
Asked what went through her mind when she discovered that her grades were excellent, she said: “There was
an initial shock followed by elation and an overwhelming sense of relief. While I was never resentful of the
amount of work I put in, it felt incredible to see that effort materialise in my results.”
Jadwat said she was not expecting to pass with flying colours.
“No, I was hopeful that everything would work out but not expectant of anything meaningful. Exams are an
anxiety-inducing time and my timetable meant that I wrote most papers in quick succession of one another,
with little time to process my feelings toward one paper before having to move on to the next. Almost two
months of waiting (for results) built up quite a sense of nervousness.”
She said: “There were times when the workload and a self-imposed demand for perfection took its toll. I often
find that one’s harshest critic is oneself, and sometimes that criticism feels insurmountable. What always
helped in overcoming that hopelessness was the unwavering support of those around me.”
Will she return to South Africa?
It will take her four years to complete her degree, Jadwat said. “My only set intention academically is to study
further, to obtain a doctorate in theoretical physics. To that end, I hope to complete my studies at one of the
best institutions possible.”
“A goal I hope to see come to fruition is creating access for women, especially women of colour, in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). I intend to work toward developing that access specifically for
women from South Africa, and Africa more generally, who are severely locked out of academic structures in
science. I would prioritise working as an academic at an institution that would help facilitate such an aim.”
– Inside Education