AS unbelievable as it may seem, activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai is just like any other university student.
Studying philosophy, politics and economics at the prestigious University of Oxford, Yousafzai has truly immersed herself into the college lifestyle.
The 22-year-old is reportedly a regular at the weekly Port and Policy meetings organised by the university's Conservative Association – which was former prime minister Theresa May's favourite haunt when she was studying at Oxford in the 1970s – and known for her attendance at socials with the university's Hindu Society, Polo Club, Christian Union and Islamic Society.
And, like any typical student, she sometimes starts her assignments later than recommended.
“A few - well, many times - I started an essay at 11 pm the night before it was due. I overwhelmed myself with the possibilities of university life,” she said. “And I'm grateful for that. I know how lucky I am to have access to an incredible education, lectures, art, sport and new perspectives.”
It is highly doubtful that Yousafzai would ever take her education for granted.
She first rose to prominence when she wrote an anonymous blog for the BBC Urdu service during the Taliban rule, using the platform to campaign for girls’ rights to an education.
As her efforts became more recognized, a then-15-year-old Yousafzai received death threats by the Taliban. In 2012, she was shot in the head by a masked Taliban gunman.
It was feared that she would not live but miraculously by January 2013, she had recovered, relocated to the UK and was enrolled to start school at Edgbaston High School in Birmingham.
Since her recovery, Yousafzai has continued to spread her peaceful views to some of the most influential leaders in the world. She has also continued her charity work in her time off and spreading the message of the Malala Fund - which seeks to support young people get an education and is especially active in assisting girls with their schooling and combating discrimination and inequality wherever those prevent it.
The Fund is now active in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Syria, Nigeria and Brazil.
At the age of 17, Yousafzai was awarded the honour of the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to help combat the suppression of children and for their rights within education. As of 2019, she is the youngest Nobel laureate ever to receive the award.
Her acceptance speech was commended by many. She thanked her father for “not cutting my wings and letting me fly.” She said that the award was not just for her, but for “those forgotten children who want education [and] for those frightened children who want peace.”
However, despite being settled in the UK, Yousafzai has been open about her desires to return to Pakistan. Last year, she got her wish.
She is said to have sobbed with emotion as she entered her childhood home in Pakistan's Swat Valley for the first time since 2012.
“I had never been so excited for anything. I've never been so happy before," she said through tears.
Yousafzai continues to use her platform for good. For instance, during her school holidays she travels abroad to meet with disadvantaged women and girls. For her birthday, she urges for gift donations for the Malala Fund.
Her 2019 book We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World highlighted the refugee experience. The novel included Yousafzai’s own experiences of being displaced in Pakistan as well as nine others with similar stories. It was described as "an eye-opener to the refugee crisis in the postmodern world".
Juggling her humanitarian work and normal everyday life must be a struggle. But Yousafzai seemingly takes it in her stride.
Her only complaint?
"None of the food in the (university) dining hall could compare with my mum's chicken and rice,” she once said.
After all, even a global icon still needs the occasional home cooked dish from her mum.
