29 May 2025

Can you tell us your name and one interesting fact about yourself?

My name is Mohammad Jaafer El-Kaddu and an interesting fact about me is that I have a double barrel name so ‘Jaafer’ is not a middle name. I Graduated from Llanishen High School in August 2024.

What subjects did you study or were you particularly interested in while you were with us?

I studied A level Maths, Chemistry, Biology, PRE and Welsh Bacc but also completed the EPQ Level 3 qualification. As for subjects I am interested in: I attended classes in further maths, business and read some physics books too in my own time.

What are you doing now, and can you tell us how you got to this point?

Currently, I am doing Medicine at Cardiff University. I would say I was lucky to get to this point with the aid of some very adamant and supportive staff, alongside the will to not waste time and to be determined to achieve my ambitions.

Did you always know this was something you wanted to pursue? If not, what other options were you considering?

For me there was no plan B if I didn’t get into medicine – I didn’t even pick a fifth UCAS option. Medicine had a unique combination of 3 factors that no other profession had: challenge, altruism and vast depth and breadth of knowledge.

Looking back, what advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?

I would say “True strength is not shown through success but rather through unwavering resilience in the face of constant failure”.

What advice would you give to students today thinking about their future?

I don’t think I am in a position currently where I can claim to know how to access a successful future. Ultimately, based on what I have learnt from others who have succeeded in life, I would say that each individual has their own pursuits – there is no one way for all, you can ask all the people you want about how to have the most successful life but ultimately your path will be unique to you only so the best option you have is just to try and give it your best and work your hardest. I believe that if you act as if you have a moral duty to give everything for your hopes and ambitions, provided this is guided with reason, then you will start forming your own destiny and succeed.