Just Go For It

Ahmed Berramdane, Algeria

Hey Ahmed! What are your current projects?

Hi! Right now, my main focus is securing a scholarship. I’m deep in a scholarship hunt, looking for the best opportunities to fund my studies abroad. I’m focusing on strengthening my applications — taking language tests and making sure everything is in order. Just today, I took a French test to assess my language skills since that one of my plans is to study in France.

Note: A few months after the interview, Ahmed was accepted for a Masters in Quality Management at the National Higher School of Management — congratulations! This will increase his ability to make a much bigger impact in the medical field.

I also decided to take on a summer intership, something completely out of my comfort zone. One of the key lessons from Your Big Year is how to expand your network and actively seek out or create new opportunities for yourself. That’s exactly what I did.

I connected with a radiologist in my neighborhood who runs a medical imaging center with CT scanners and other equipment. Wanting to try something new, I decided to approach another radiologist. I handed him my CV, we had an interview, and soon after, I was offered a summer internship. Now, I’m working at his radiology center, which has been an exciting learning experience. I’ve even gotten hands-on enough to run a CT scan by myself!

My typical day during this summer looks something like this: I wake up around 7 a.m., have breakfast, and head to work from 8 a.m. to about 1 or 2 p.m. The mornings are usually the busiest, with patients coming in for CT scans and other imaging exams. After work, I hit the gym for a couple of hours, then head home for a quick meal and a short nap. In the evenings, I focus on self-development, often working through courses on Coursera. Finally, I unwind by hanging out with friends before heading to bed around midnight, ready to start the routine all over again.

What inspired you to get into what you’re currently doing?

Some people have called me an overachiever because, at 20, I’ve managed to accomplish a lot. My journey began when I was just 14, working with one of the biggest media companies in the Middle East. It all started on social media, volunteering as an editor and news reporter for a Facebook community called “Mix Community”. Back then, I was writing about music and cinema for a page that now has over 2 million likes.

Through that experience, I discovered my love for analyzing music, films, and understanding the creative decisions behind them. It was an escape for me, especially during COVID, when I spent a lot of time watching TV shows and movies. While other teenagers were gaming or playing Fortnite, I was for example writing articles about Pink Floyd, which fun fact remains my favorite band.

This early exposure to media and creativity sparked a passion for understanding how people think, analyzing things in-depth, and writing about what interests me. Then, when I took a big leap and chose a university specialty that wasn’t even my first choice — biomedical engineering — it changed my life in ways I never expected. Moving 1,000 kilometers away from home, seeing my family only four times a year, and tackling a challenging field that many people discouraged me from entering made me more determined to succeed. Every time someone said, “You’ll regret it, there’s no job market for that,” it only fueled my desire to prove them wrong.

I’ve worked on myself, developed skills, and volunteered to gain experience. Even though I received two job offers this year, I turned them down to focus on applying for scholarships and working on a project that I hope will result in a patent. The combination of my early experiences in media, moving into university life, and the drive to prove doubters wrong has shaped my journey.

At the same time, I’ve always had this deep-seated love for storytelling. Even as a child, I would write stories, and that creative spark has stayed with me all these years. My passion for analyzing people and the world around me, combined with the desire to keep learning and growing, continues to inspire me every day. And of course, a huge part of my inspiration is my family — everything my parents have done for me and my siblings. I want to make them proud and show them that all their sacrifices were worth it.

What are some challenges you have faced throughout your journey?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced throughout my journey is battling my own self-doubt. It’s something I struggle with a lot. When I compare this year to last year, the difference is stark. Last year was filled with so many firsts — my first time leaving Algeria, my first time on an airplane, my first visa, and even my first recognition for my short film. Everything seemed new and exciting. But this year, it’s been tough, with a lot of rejections, especially when applying for scholarships.

There were times when the constant rejections made me question everything, and Your Big Year was one of the few highlights. I remember feeling hesitant when I got the email that I had been accepted into the Global Citizens Challenge because it came right after yet another rejection. I almost thought, “What’s the point?” But looking back, Your Big Year really shifted the direction of my year. As the name suggests, it became a defining moment for me.

It even inspired me to pursue new interests, like interviewing. During the Make an Impact Fellowship (note: now called Your Big Year Fellowship), I discovered how much I enjoyed conducting interviews. I went out and bought a microphone because I realized this could be something I want to pursue — maybe even a second profession if things don’t work out with my current path.

Despite the self-doubt and setbacks, moments like Your Big Year have helped me bounce back and remind me that positive things can happen. I’ve learned that it’s not about avoiding challenges but about how you bounce back from them. After I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, I took a 20-day break in the desert where my family moved, away from all the stress of applications and rejections. Algeria is vast, and spending time in such a quiet, peaceful place really helped me regain my confidence and rediscover the things I love. It was the reset I needed to reignite the fire in me to keep pushing forward, even after the rejections.

We all go through this at some point, and it’s the way we bounce back that truly matters.

What are some resources that have helped you so far?

Reading has become a huge source of calm and clarity for me. It helps me disconnect from all the pressures and stress, and I’ve found real pleasure in the quiet moments with a good book. It’s like therapy in a way — it allows me to slow down, reflect, and regain focus.

Another major resource has been taking time off. Like I mentioned earlier, I spent 20 days in a completely new place where my family moved, and that break was transformative. It was the first time I’d been there, and the change of environment allowed me to reset. During that time, I learned new skills — like really learning how to drive in the city, even though I already had my license. Those 20 days gave me the space I needed to get back on track and refocus, and I did a lot of reading during that period, which only deepened my love for books.

What advice do you have for your peers to help set them on their big year?

My advice to my peers would be this: just go for it. No matter how scary it looks, you’re probably making it a bigger deal in your head than it actually is. Just take the leap. The thing that really separates someone who’s successful from someone who’s not is that the successful one takes chances. So, whenever you get an opportunity, grab it.

Another important thing is to ask for help. Don’t be shy about it. If you need guidance, reach out to people who know more than you, people who’ve been through it. Don’t hesitate to take advice from anyone — even someone you might not expect. It doesn’t matter where they come from, anyone can give you a piece of advice that might change your perspective.

And the most important thing is to enjoy the journey. If you don’t find joy in the process, it’ll end up being something that drags you down. You have to learn how to be yourself, how to find happiness in the grind, and eventually, you’ll realize that being true to yourself is the best way to live. So, take the chances, ask for advice, and most of all, enjoy the ride.

What do you wish others knew about the Algerian community?

What I wish others knew about my community is just how generous and eager we are to help each other, especially when it comes to supporting one another’s goals and ambitions. One of the things I admire most about being Algerian is the sense of solidarity and willingness to offer a hand whenever it’s needed.

For instance, when I was exploring how to apply for a scholarship, I reached out to three Algerians on LinkedIn who had already won that scholarship. To my surprise, they all responded immediately and were so generous with their time. One of them spent over an hour on the phone walking me through the entire application process. Another even offered to review my application and give me feedback on what to improve. This wasn’t just a one-time thing — it happens so often within our community. I’ve seen it repeatedly, whether online or in person.

Another experience that stands out is when I connected with someone who had studied the same specialty as me and won a different scholarship. After a long day at work, he still made time to talk with me for three hours, sharing everything he knew and offering advice on every detail I needed to succeed. That’s just the kind of spirit we have.

Beyond the online world, this same attitude is reflected in everyday life. Algerians are incredibly welcoming and always ready to lend support, no matter the situation. I feel proud to come from a community where helping one another is second nature. I wish more people knew just how warm-hearted and supportive we can be.