Meet a Handler Scholar!
Name: Leen Khankan
What are you studying at Rochester? Biology and Philosophy
From: Aleppo, Syria & Milan, Italy
Extracurricular Activities: Student Alumni Ambassador, Medallion Leadership Society, Emergency Department Research Associate, Co-President of Refugee Student Alliance, Virtual English tutor at Azraq Refugee Camp & Italian Tutor at Language Center, and Research Assistant at the Wilmot Cancer Center. I also love biking & walks in nature 🙂
How has the Handler Scholarship impacted your life?
Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue a higher education at this institution with the freedom I currently have. I’m a firm believer of the notion that education changes lives and I can confirm that as not only has my education here rendered me a more well-rounded person, but it has also given me access to a community of incredibly gifted and talented individuals – some of which have become my closest friends – plenty of great mentors, and an amazing team of people who care about your personal success – *metaphorical shoutout* to Kristine, Jodyi, Dominique, & Brad! This opportunity has most definitely changed my life and I cannot thank Rich & Martha enough.
What are your plans after Rochester?
Currently, to become a Medical Doctor.
What has been your most meaningful experience as a Handler Scholar?
I’m really big on having a community you feel like you belong to. I would say my most meaningful experiences have been the events organized where we all sit down and do something collectively such as painting pumpkins, having donuts and talking to each other.
What does Meliora mean to you?
The literal translation is to be “ever better.” However, over the course of my years here, I have come to realize that there are many intricacies that aren’t explicitly stated within that motto especially since to become ever better, we have to know ourselves. Meliora has come to mean the world to me: it is to discover who we are and strive to become more than that; to understand our background but not let it define us, rather improve upon it; it is the idea that we can always become better and that, in itself, is freeing as it is an acknowledgment that we won’t ever reach perfection and that attempting to do so is foolish. But, most importantly, for “Meliora” to even be possible, we must first just “be,” and that means to appreciate every moment we have and make the most of it.
How do you plan to make your community and/or the world ever better?
As complex humans, we all have different “hats” we adorn ourselves with: as an aspiring physician, I will better my community via medical care; as myself, I will better my surroundings by promoting and taking part of initiatives that take care of the society as a whole; as a sister and daughter, I plan on taking care of my parents and siblings.