A FICTIONAL INTERVIEW -The Same Roots, Different Paths”- A Conversation with Aisha and Zai

Interviewer: Aisha, Zainab, it’s great to have you both here today. I have heard a lot about your incredible journeys— Aisha, a neurosurgeon in the United States of America, and Zainab, a commercial pilot in New Zealand. Before we dive into the deep stuff, I have to ask—who’s the bossy one between you both? 

Zainab (laughing): For sure, Aisha! Growing up, she always acted like my second mother, telling me what to do, what to wear, and even what books to read!

Aisha (grinning): Madam! Someone had to keep you in line! But yeah, I might have been a little bossy. Zainab has always been a free spirit.

Interviewer: That sounds like a typical big sister-little sister dynamic! Alright, let’s start with the heart of it all: family. Aisha, you moved to the U.S. at a young age. How did living far away from family affect you?

Aisha (sighing deeply): It was one of the most challenging periods of my life. When I left Nigeria at 16, I was excited about the many opportunities ahead, but nothing prepared me for the loneliness. I moved in with an aunt I barely knew. She was nice enough, but I always felt that I didn’t quite belong. There were moments when I felt like an outsider and a burden. I had to grow up fast and learn to navigate life in a foreign country without solid emotional backing. I’d call home often to speak with Zainab or our parents, and it would feel like they were a world away. That distance, emotionally and physically, shaped who I am today — strong but sometimes guarded. It taught me independence but at the cost of missing out on the closeness with family.

Interviewer: Zainab, how did you feel during that period? Did her departure change things between you two?

Zainab: It did, in more ways than I realized then. I missed her so much, but there were days when I couldn’t shake the feeling of resentment. I felt like she had all these opportunities that I didn’t — getting to study abroad and escaping Nigeria’s economic struggles. While I was here, facing societal pressure to marry young and help out with family, Aisha was living this life I could only dream about. It made me angry at times. I overheard some of our aunties talk about how lucky she was, and I’d feel...small. Like her success meant I wasn’t doing enough.

Aisha (softly): I didn’t know you felt that way then.

Zainab (nodding): Yeah, It wasn’t easy to admit. I wasn’t furious at you—I was angry at the situation. You did what you had to, and I’ve always been proud of you. But back then, it felt like you had left me behind to carry the weight of expectations alone.

Interviewer: Wow, a lot to manage emotionally. How have you both gotten over that?

Zainab: It took time. I think it was when I became a pilot and moved to New Zealand that I genuinely understood Aisha’s experience—what it’s like to be in a foreign country, away from everything familiar, and to fight for your place. That’s when I let go of the resentment. And that is when I dropped the bitterness. We are on different paths, but we are working hard to create our own futures.

Aisha (smiling): I’ve always been very proud of Zainab. I followed her journey too, and every time she reached a milestone — getting her pilot’s license, her first international flight—it felt like a victory for both of us. We’ve both fought battles that people don’t see, and in many ways, those battles have made us stronger, individually and as sisters.

Interviewer: How did your different environments and experiences shape your views on family and society?

Aisha: Growing up in the U.S., I saw how independent families could be. Everyone was in a race to succeed, and family ties sometimes took a back seat. Even though my parents kept us grounded in Nigerian values, there were times when I felt a bit distant from our culture. Financially, I knew I had more opportunities, but there was this constant pressure to excel in a competitive environment. I saw girls around me worried more about scholarships and internships than family bonds, and that was something I struggled to balance emotionally. As a Nigerian girl in the U.S., you feel like you have to represent your entire community. Failure was not an option for me because that would reinforce stereotypes, not just about Nigerians, but about African immigrants as a whole. It was isolating at times. I remember feeling exhausted as if I were running on a treadmill that never stopped. There were nights I’d cry because I wasn’t sure if all the sacrifices were worth it.

Zainab: Family is everything in Nigeria. You don’t just grow up with your parents and siblings; your aunts, uncles, and cousins are all involved in your life. There’s comfort in that closeness, but it also comes with pressure. Especially for girls, there’s an expectation to marry early, help out with the family business, or follow a specific career path like teaching or nursing. Economically, things were tough. Our parents worked hard, Dad worked full time as a welder, and Mom owned a kiosk in the local market, but there were days when we weren’t sure how we’d pay school fees. And because there’s this cultural idea that a girl’s future is tied to her husband’s, I had to fight to show my family that I could build something on my own, even if that meant defying tradition.

Interviewer: Now, you’re both in your fifties, balancing incredible careers with your personal lives. How do you manage the expectations of being a woman in such demanding fields?

Aisha: It has been a tightrope walk. As a neurosurgeon, the demands are relentless. There are days I’m in the operating room for hours, saving lives, but when I come home, I’m still expected to be present as a wife, a mother, and a mentor to young women in medicine. Balancing that has been tough. There is always this societal expectation that women should be able to do it all without breaking, but that’s not realistic. I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask for help and to lean on others. But the emotional labor? Well, men rarely face it, at least not in a similar manner.

Zainab: Flying planes has been exhilarating for me, but the male-dominated field comes with challenges. Even in my fifties, I still face questions about my competence because I’m a woman. There’s this unspoken pressure to prove myself, not just once, but repeatedly. And let’s not even talk about the sacrifices. I had to put off having children, and sometimes, I wonder if I made the right choice. Society still has trouble accepting that women can be ambitious and have fulfilling personal lives. We’re expected to serve the desires and fit the mold society has created for us, but I refuse to do that.

Interviewer: Both of you have clearly faced significant societal pressures. Now, in retrospect, how do you feel about womanhood and the struggles of the girl child today?

Aisha: Womanhood is complex. It’s beautiful and chaotic at the same time. As girls, we’re taught to be everything to everyone— strong, nurturing, and ambitious, but not too ambitious. It’s exhausting. I think about the young girls today and see a lot of hope. They are more articulate, and they know their rights. But the struggles are still there. They still face barriers, especially in places like Nigeria, where cultural and economic constraints can stifle a girl’s potential before she even realizes it.

Zainab: I agree. I think of the girls back home in Nigeria and the girls I’ve met on my travels, and the challenges remain real. Education is still a privilege and not a norm for many young girls worldwide. But as women like Aisha and I continue to push boundaries, I believe we’re creating a new narrative for the girl child. It’s no longer about fitting into a mold; it’s about breaking it and redefining what’s possible for future generations. We need to keep fighting for spaces where girls can thrive without limitations.

Interviewer: That’s powerful. What advice would you give to girls growing up today, especially those facing the same economic and cultural barriers you experienced?

Aisha: Don’t be afraid to dream beyond what your environment tells you is possible. Your circumstances may limit you, but they don’t define you. Keep pushing, learning, and surround yourself with people who believe in your potential. And never feel guilty for wanting more. Your ambitions are valid.

Zainab (nodding): Remember that you don’t have to walk this journey alone. Find your tribe—family, friends, or mentors—and lean on them. It’s okay to be vulnerable. And when the world tells you to shrink, that’s when you stand tall and fight for your place. We’re living proof that you can overcome whatever life throws at you, even if the road is long and winding.

Interviewer (smiling): You two are an inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing your stories. Before we wrap up, one fun question—who’s the better cook?

Zainab (laughing): I’m hands down. Aisha’s been in America too long; her Nigerian cooking skills are questionable!

Aisha (Laughing ): I’ll have you know my food is just as good! Maybe with a little American twist, but it’s still good!

Interviewer (laughing): I’d love to be the judge of that! Before we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to say to each other?

Zainab: Aisha, I know we didn’t always see eye to eye, and sometimes I misjudged you. But I want you to know that I will always love you. You have always inspired me, even when I could not admit it. I’m proud of the woman you’ve become and grateful to have you as my sister.

Aisha (getting emotional): Zainab, hearing you say that means more to me than you know. I’ve always admired your strength and determination and how you fight for your beliefs. I love you, sis. I always have and always will.

Zainab stands up and walks over to Aisha. They embrace tightly, both of them tearing up.

Zainab (whispering): I love you too sis.

Interviewer: (wiping away a tear) Thank you both for sharing your stories and pouring your hearts with us this afternoon. It’s been an honor.

And with that, we wish all the young girls worldwide the courage to follow their dreams, break barriers, and rewrite the rules. From Aisha, Zainab, and all of us here—”

Aisha and Zainab (in unison, waving at the camera): “Happy International Girls Day!”

Zainab (grinning): “The world is yours—claim it and never let anyone dim your light!”

Both (in unison, laughing): “We love you all!”

PS: This is one of the few write-ups dearest to my heart. Being a young Nigerian girl in another country striving to study and be one of the best in my field has not been easy, and this particular girl’s child day has reminded me that I’m not just an elder sister to two amazing girls or an struggling medicine student. I am someone’s girl child who is loved and cared for; I am someone’s dream to be, and I’m someone’s mentor in years to come. Today, I draw strength from the women before me, especially on World Pulse, who are dominating and advocating for young women like me and young girls who are looking up to young women like me. Womanhood and girlhood are BEAUTIFUL! HAPPY INTERNATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY.