Calling Badal Omar an underachiever would be quite the understatement. His come-from-behind story is one that inspires people from all walks of life to reach for the stars, even through the toughest adversity.

By: Wynfred Russell
 
Having endured life in a war-torn country as a young child and witnessed atrocities firsthand in his own family, coupled with caring for his ailing father and young siblings both physically and financially, Badal, 22, has more on his plate than the average college student.
 
Through it all, though, he has managed to hold down three jobs while taking well-beyond a full course load… and earning excellent grades in the process. As he plans to transition to Mayo Medical School’s Respiratory Therapy program this fall, he still has his eye on the prize.
 
“I’ve known since I was very young that the only way to improve my life was through education”, he says.
At the young age of seven, Badal was living with his mother in Somalia, a country in the midst of a devastating civil conflict. Having raised him alone, after separating from his father when he was three, he asked his mother what he should do. “She said ‘I want a better life for you.’ So I made the decision myself to go live with my father’s family in Kenya;” which is where he completed high school. Even as a child, he committed himself to work toward a better future to be able to support his family. “I knew it was going to be very challenging, but I had to keep telling myself that everything is possible.”
 
It was when he was living in Kenya that he began aspiring to a future in higher education in the United States. It was also during this time, however, that his father fell very ill with cancer. His dreams were on hold as he took on the responsibility of caring for his father and making frequent trips to the doctor. Badal says, “This experience got me interested in helping people and made me realize I wanted to work in a medical field.” His father eventually succumbed to the disease in 2007.
 
Badal was sponsored by his brother to come to the U.S. in 2005. His brother encouraged him to go to the University of Minnesota, but Badal wanted to go to a school that was smaller and more community focused. That is why he chose Normandale Community College.
 
While at Normandale, he found a supportive community willing to help him succeed. Ralph Anderson, Vice President of Student Affairs, remembers candid conversations with Badal about his family’s tumultuous life back in Somalia.
“Badal overcame multiple obstacles to succeed in college,” says Anderson. “Because of his gratitude and desire to learn and succeed, all of us find it to be a great reward to assist Badal.”
 
Dean of Students Gail Anderson Cywinski is inspired by Badal’s success, “Imagine what a survivor he is over the course of his young life. Yet he is so resilient, so kind and such a gentle soul.”
 
It is important to Badal to remain focused while still in school, which is why he has chosen roommates who are also college students. “I don’t want to get distracted and fall of the path I’m on toward finishing my education. So I live with relatives of mine who have similar goals and interests.”
 
Badal chose a career path in health care because of the experience he went through caring for his father when he was dying of cancer. Respiratory therapy seemed a natural fit; there is high demand in the field and it will give him skills that he can eventually take back to Africa to help those in need. “In Somalia, a lot of people suffer from respiratory problems. I want to give back the opportunity and love given to me and educate my own people.”
As for any advice he might give young Somalis who have grown up with a similar background, Badal would encourage them to pursue their education. “Education is the only way to a better life. You have to have courage and commitment. It’s going to be hard, but take the challenge—you’re never too young or too old to change the world.”
 
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Wynfred Russell is Director of the Center for Multicultural Services at Normandale Community College in Bloomington. MN 55431. He can be reached at (952) 487-8131 or via email: wynfred.russell@normandale.edu .