From refugee camp to Convocation Hall: U of T grad travels difficult road

When civil war broke out in South Sudan in 2013, Esther Yubo Kassimiro Mogga was separated from her family and forced to seek refugee status in neighbouring Uganda.

But somehow, she still managed to seize on the traumatic moment to build a bright future.

“I felt like I had a second chance at life and an opportunity to dream beyond survival,” she says.

Now, more than a decade later, Kassimiro Mogga is graduating from the University of Toronto with an honours bachelor of science degree. A member of Trinity College, she majored in health and disease with a double minor in immunology and the history and philosophy of science and technology. 

This fall, she will begin an accelerated, two-year bachelor of science in nursing degree at U of T’s Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing.

Her path to Convocation Hall began in the refugee camp, where she volunteered to teach children at a daycare centre. Through the organization Confident Children out of Conflict, she enrolled at boarding school to earn her high school diploma. After graduation, she worked in a Kampala hospital as a receptionist and lab technician.

The experience of building resilience among her fellow refugees prompted Kassimiro Mogga to pursue a career in health care. She attended U of T thanks to a life-changing opportunity provided by the World University Service of Canada Student Refugee Program.

“Receiving that sponsorship was one of the best moments of my life,” she says. “For a refugee who was uncertain about how to fund post-secondary education, the award sparked limitless possibilities. I am about to become a first-generation graduate from one of the best universities in the world.”

Faculty of Arts & Science writer David Goldberg recently caught up with Kassimiro Mogga to talk to her about her undergraduate journey.

How did the Student Refugee Program sponsorship shape your university experience?

The sponsorship was a rare opportunity, giving me a platform to grow, lead and thrive. My lived experiences, from displacement to caregiving and community work, added unique value to class discussions, especially in public health and social equity.

I was motivated to take on leadership roles, such as co-ordinator for the Student Refugee Program at U of T, where I helped new sponsorship recipients transition into university life – just as others once helped me.

I’m not just here to earn a degree. I’m here to become a changemaker for communities like the one I came from, where resilience, hope and the right support can transform lives.

What inspired you to pursue a health and disease major?

I've always cared for others. Living in a refugee settlement, I volunteered at the daycare, helped nurses at a children’s home and later worked in the surgery hospital in Uganda.

At U of T, I was drawn to health sciences courses. In my second year, I took a class on the history and philosophy of science and technology that deepened my skills for critical thinking, reflection and discussion while exploring the evolution of patient care.

What have been some of your most memorable university experiences?

I'll never forget meeting my first friends in residence during the COVID-19 pandemic. We created lasting connections that helped us cope with the uncertainty of those times. The shared moments of joy and resilience made me feel like I was home.

In another standout moment, I welcomed new students to campus as an ambassador for Innis and University Colleges. Helping first-years settle in has always been exciting because they remind me of myself when I first arrived – eager, nervous and full of hope. It’s been so rewarding to support them and be part of their early university memories.

What advice would you give to your first-year self?

As one of my favourite professors, Franco Taverna puts it: “This academic journey is not a sprint – it’s a marathon. Pace yourself.” It’s OK to take a break, to breathe and to start over if you need to. There will be challenges, moments of self-doubt, and even failure, but none of those define your worth or your future. What matters most is your willingness to keep going, to ask for help when you need it and to be kind to yourself along the way.

What draws you to nursing?

During my undergraduate degree, I completed a clinical placement as a personal support worker in an assisted living facility. I witnessed how compassionate, patient-centred care profoundly impacts individuals and communities.

Nursing, for me, is a calling that aligns with my values of empathy, service and advocacy. My undergraduate experience at U of T has been an incredible foundation for this next chapter.

I’ve made my way in a new country, thrived in a rigorous academic system and overcome many personal challenges to reach graduation day.

I have proven to myself that I’m capable of adapting, growing and persevering. I now step into nursing school not only with academic preparation, but with heart, humility and a deep commitment to making a difference.