Esther Yubo Kassimiro Mogga is driven by the daunting challenges of her childhood and empowered by the skills and confidence she gained at the University of Toronto.
In 2013, when civil war broke out in her home country of South Sudan, a place that has seldom known peace, Kassimiro Mogga was separated from her family and forced to seek refugee status in neighbouring Uganda. Despite the trauma, she seized the moment to build a bright future.
“I felt like I had a second chance at life and an opportunity to dream beyond survival,” says Kassimiro Mogga, who earned her honours bachelor of science as a member of Trinity College. She majored in health and disease with a double minor in immunology and the history and philosophy of science and technology.
Navigating her new life alone in a Ugandan refugee camp, Kassimiro Mogga volunteered teaching children at a daycare centre. Through the organization Confident Children out of Conflict, she enrolled at boarding school to earn her high school diploma. After graduation, she worked in a Kampala hospital as a receptionist and lab technician.
The experience of building resilience among her fellow refugees motivated Kassimiro Mogga to pursue a career in healthcare. She attended U of T thanks to a life-changing opportunity provided by the World University Service of Canada Student Refugee Program.
“Receiving that sponsorship was one of the best moments of my life,” says Kassimiro Mogga. “For a refugee who was uncertain about how to fund post-secondary education, the award sparked limitless possibilities. I am about to become a first-generation graduate from one of the best universities in the world.”
This fall, she will enter the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing’s accelerated, two-year bachelor of science in nursing. As Kassimiro Mogga takes the next steps in her journey, she reflects on the most impactful moments of her undergraduate degree.
How has the Student Refugee Program sponsorship shaped your university experience and personal journey at U of T?
The sponsorship was a rare opportunity, giving me a platform to grow, lead and thrive. My lived experiences, from displacement to caregiving and community work, added unique value to class discussions, especially in public health and social equity.
I was motivated to take on leadership roles, such as coordinator for the Student Refugee Program at U of T, where I helped new sponsorship recipients transition into university life — just as others once helped me.
I’m not just here to earn a degree; I’m here to become a changemaker for communities like the one I came from, where resilience, hope and the right support can transform lives.
What inspired you to pursue a health and disease major?
I've always cared for others. Living in a refugee settlement, I volunteered at the daycare, helped nurses at a children’s home, and later worked in the surgery hospital in Uganda.
At U of T, I was drawn to health sciences courses. In my second year, I took a class on the history and philosophy of science and technology that deepened my skills for critical thinking, reflection and discussion while exploring the evolution of patient care.
What have been some of your most memorable experiences at U of T?
I'll never forget meeting my first friends in residence during the COVID-19 pandemic. We created lasting connections that helped us cope with the uncertainty of those times. The shared moments of joy and resilience made me feel like I was home.
In another standout moment, I welcomed new students to campus as an ambassador for Innis and University Colleges. Helping first-years settle in has always been exciting because they remind me of myself when I first arrived — eager, nervous and full of hope. It’s been so rewarding to support them and be part of their early university memories.
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
As one of my favourite professors, Franco Taverna puts it: ‘This academic journey is not a sprint — it’s a marathon. Pace yourself.’ It’s okay to take a break, to breathe and to start over if you need to. There will be challenges, moments of self-doubt, and even failure, but none of those define your worth or your future. What matters most is your willingness to keep going, to ask for help when you need it and to be kind to yourself along the way.
What influenced your decision to pursue nursing at U of T, and how do you feel your undergraduate experience has prepared you?
During my undergraduate degree, I completed a clinical placement as a personal support worker in an assisted living facility. I witnessed how compassionate, patient-centred care profoundly impacts individuals and communities.
Nursing, for me, is a calling that aligns with my values of empathy, service and advocacy. My undergraduate experience at U of T has been an incredible foundation for this next chapter.
I’ve made my way in a new country, thrived in a rigorous academic system and overcome many personal challenges to reach graduation day.
I have proven to myself that I’m capable of adapting, growing and persevering. I now step into nursing school not only with academic preparation, but with heart, humility and a deep commitment to making a difference.