Oullematu Jalloh, the 2018 AYV Miss University winner and former President of the Sierra Leonean Students Society in Cyprus, has graduated with High Honours in Nursing from the Cyprus International University, an achievement marked not only by academic excellence, but a profound journey of resilience, transformation, and unwavering faith.
This milestone, years in the making, is not just a degree, it is a symbol of triumph over adversity.
THE DREAM THAT WAS INTERRUPTED
Oullematu’s academic journey began in 2017, full of dreams and ambition. She enrolled in a Bachelor’s program in Broadcasting & Journalism at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, with her sights set on making a mark in media. But life had other plans. Just two years into her studies, her university was abruptly shut down due to government issues, forcing her to put her dreams on hold.
For nearly two years, she watched as her peers moved forward, while she was left grappling with uncertainty, loss, and silence.
“It was painful,” she reflects. “Everything I had worked for vanished. The silence was loud. The delay was heavy.”
REDIRECTION, NOT REJECTION
Instead of giving up, she restarted her academic journey in Public Administration at Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU). But just as she regained footing, another unexpected door opened; an opportunity to study abroad, she accepted.
Landing in Cyprus, a new country with a new culture and education system, she once again made a bold pivot; this time to Nursing. It was a choice rooted in passion, but with no science background, she stepped into the unknown.
“I had no biology, no chemistry, no clue. I felt like I was drowning in deep waters without a life jacket.”
She battled academic setbacks, financial challenges, and mental health struggles. She failed, cried silently, and even lost a semester due to a fraudulent scheme she fell victim to. Yet through it all, she persisted.
FAITH, SERVICE AND PERSEVERANCE
Throughout this turbulent journey, Oullematu remained anchored in faith.
“I wore fake smiles while fighting real battles. But God never let me go. I prayed. I pushed. I persevered.”
Despite the hardship, she continued to lead and serve. She was elected President of the Sierra Leonean Students’ Society in Cyprus (2022–2023) and now serves as a Presidential Advisor to the current leadership.
Her commitment to advocacy never faded either. As Miss University 2018, she led a national Protection Campaign for vulnerable children and girls, a cause that continues to inspire her.
“Nursing became my new mission because I love children deeply. I dream of founding a center to care for sick and vulnerable kids one day.”
MORE THAN A GRADUATION: A TESTIMONY
Now in 2025, Oullematu walks across the stage, not just as a graduate, but as a living testimony of grace, grit, and purpose. From 2017 to 2025, across three academic disciplines and two countries, she has emerged stronger.
“This isn’t just a graduation. It’s a resurrection. Every smile you see is backed by tears, sacrifices, and scars; but also by grace.” she says.
A MESSAGE OF HOPE
To anyone feeling lost, delayed, or defeated, Oullematu shares a powerful message:
“Please don’t give up. Delays are not denials. Detours are not dead ends. Just when you think it’s over, God steps in. He did it for me. He’ll do it for you.”
Oullematu Jalloh’s story is a testament to the power of starting over, the courage to keep going, and the grace that carries us through. From pain to purpose, and from delay to destiny, her journey inspires us all.