Jerusha Khushal
Height: 5’4
Hometown: Scarborough, ON
Languages: English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi
Occupation: Personal Care Aide
Jerusha Khushal was born in Pakistan, raised in Kuwait, and is now a proud Canadian citizen living in Scarborough, Ontario. She graduated with a specialised honours degree in kinesiology and health science from York University. She is currently studying nursing at Centennial College, and she is working as a personal care aide at a retirement home/TCU. She also worked as a tutor when she was a student at York University. After completing her nursing studies, she plans on not only working as a nurse but also elevating to a management position. Her work experiences have allowed her to work with people of various ages and backgrounds. She is the first person in her family to achieve a university degree, and she is in the process of completing another degree.
Jerusha has completed a life coaching certificate, and she has also written a book, which is her autobiography. She wants to share the lessons that she has learned so far with other people in order to uplift and motivate them. She has volunteered at local elementary schools and at religious organisations. She has volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, where she prepared lessons and taught them in a fun and engaging way. In her spare time, she likes to read books on self-improvement. She values the importance of staying updated on current events in order to be aware of what is going on around the world. She also likes to paint, play instruments, write poetry, and watch movies with her friends and family. As part of her Kinesiology and Health Science programme, she was required to participate in eight different sports and physical activities. These included basketball, volleyball, tennis, cricket, badminton, and ultimate frisbee. She also participated in contemporary dance, track and field, javelin throw, shotput, and tai chi. Jerusha was a part of her school and church choirs, and she has won first prizes for poetry writing.
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
I enjoy reading, writing songs and poems, learning new instruments, and learning new languages. I also like to play sports like basketball with my friends and family. I like doing activities that are outdoors, especially those that allow me to connect with nature, like hiking. The thing that fulfils me the most is using my gift of being able to connect with people and being a life coach to those who need encouragement and motivation. I like being able to do public speaking and to help encourage people of all ages, but especially the youth.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
I got keyboard lessons when I was 12 years old. I have also been part of choirs, and I like to write poetry as well as paint. When I was doing my undergraduate degree at York University, I took contemporary dance as one of my practicums.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
As a student in the Specialized Honours program in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University, I was required to participate in eight different sports and physical activities in order to graduate. I participated in basketball, volleyball, tennis, cricket, badminton, and ultimate frisbee. I also did contemporary dance, track and field, javelin throw, shot put, and tai chi.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
A person that I will always admire is Princess Diana. She was not only beautiful on the outside, but she also had a pure and giving heart. She spoke up about important causes and helped break stigmas around conditions like HIV/AIDS. She viewed people with compassion and was more focused on being others-centered. She left such a lasting impact on the world that even today, people think of her in a very positive and loving light. I believe everybody comes into the world with a purpose, and the root of having a purpose-based life is to serve other people using our unique talents. Leaving a legacy behind is not just about what personal achievements a person has acquired; it is also about what we did for others and how strongly we were able to change other people’s lives in a positive way.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
My proudest personal accomplishment is writing my book, which is an autobiography. I wrote down all the life lessons that I’ve learned so far. Writing this book is me walking in my purpose and using my gift of uplifting others to help make a positive difference in other people’s lives. I am also the first person in my family to complete a university degree, and I am in the process of completing another degree.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
The most interesting thing about me is my optimism. Anyone I have ever spoken to always tells me that I am very resilient and optimistic. They ask me how I am able to see the silver lining in every situation. I think this quality is essential, and it helps me to be able to assist others when I am coaching them, as well as when I am working in teams or in leadership positions. It also helps me and the people around me to continually feel motivated and inspired.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
Currently, my career ambition is to complete my nursing degree and work as a nurse or as a nursing instructor. I am in my second year of nursing at Centennial College, and I will be graduating next year. Apart from completing nursing, my first career ambition has always been to win Miss Universe because it will allow me to use my voice to be a role model for others and use my gifts to make an impact in people’s lives. I am working towards this goal by participating in this pageant. I hope to win Miss Universe Canada so that I can go on to participate in Miss Universe and represent Canada on a global stage.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
My dream job would be to become a fashion designer and create modest clothing. From what I’ve seen while scrolling on social media, a lot of ladies, including myself, struggle to find dresses that are more modest. I support women wearing whatever makes them feel confident, but I also feel women should be empowered to wear modest clothing if that’s what they like and if that’s what makes them feel most confident. I have done some research into this and have not found a lot of brands that are specifically catered to it. So my dream is to one day have my own clothing line of modest dresses and outfits.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and my family and I moved to Kuwait when I was a baby. I lived in Kuwait for 12 years before I moved to Canada. I have lived in Canada for almost 13 years now. My childhood years were spent in the Middle East, and I moved to Canada when I was 12 years old. Growing up, my family had a very social lifestyle. We have a big family back in Pakistan, and I have a lot of cousins there. I have fond memories of my childhood; however, I have experienced many challenges and struggles during my teenage years because I was bullied a lot in high school. My life experiences are the reason why I am so active as a life coach and a motivational speaker. I am grateful that we have a lot of resources in Canada when it comes to having a voice and having opportunities for personal growth. I remember attending a lot of assemblies in high school where people raised awareness regarding bullying and were given resources as to who they could reach out to in order to talk about what they were experiencing. I feel really blessed to call Canada my home, and I am grateful for all the tools and opportunities I am provided to be able to reach my highest potential here, especially as a woman.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
I find my current job really interesting, as I get to work with older people and listen to the residents share their life experiences and stories with me. I also worked as a part-time tutor for 4 years when I was a student at York University. That job was also very interesting to me because I love children, and I got the chance to work with children of different age groups (kindergarten to grade 12). My job experiences have allowed me to work with people of various ages and backgrounds, and I have learned so much from them.
List any volunteering you have done.
I have volunteered at local elementary schools as well as at religious organisations. I have helped with Sunday school activities, including preparing lessons and delivering them in a fun and engaging way. During Christmas time, I would help the church prepare Christmas boxes to send to people who were in need of clothes and food.
What is your most unusual talent?
My most unusual talent is being able to hear two conversations simultaneously. I’ve surprised friends in the past when I replied to one group of friends while I was already talking to another group of friends. I can also write poems about any given topic on the spot, and I have won first prizes in poetry writing for poems that I have written on the spot.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
I haven’t yet gotten the chance to travel much. But in the near future, I would love to travel to different parts of the world. I love learning about different cultures, and I feel that every person can share a unique story and experience with others. The most interesting place that I have been to so far is the village where my mother grew up. It shows me the struggles that parents go through to be able to provide a safe and healthy life for their children. My family has gone through a lot, and I want to make them and Canada proud by winning Miss Universe Canada.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In ten years, I hope to be married, have four kids, and also have a toy poodle. I would also like to have my own farm, be able to have horses on the farm, and look after the horses. I wish to continue inspiring people, and I hope to write more books. I want to travel and be able to explore different countries. I want to help women in less fortunate countries and empower young boys and girls to go after their dreams. I want to emphasise the importance of education, and I want to encourage people to use their natural gifts and talents and embrace their unique qualities. I want to help continue breaking stigmas around mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, which are still considered taboo topics in some communities. A lot of people suffer from these conditions, and I want them to know that their condition does not define them and that they are capable of achieving anything that they want.