Marwa Osmani
Height: 5’6
Hometown: Surrey, BC
Languages: English, Dari, Hindi, French, Spanish
Occupation: Insurance Broker Assistant
Marwa was born in Moscow, Russia and is now a proud Canadian citizen living in beautiful British Columbia. She is multilingual and a true advocate for multiculturalism, having grown up in a household that exposed her to various languages and cultures. Her experiences have shaped her into an open-minded, empathetic, and driven individual who believes in helping others and breaking societal barriers.
She firmly believes in education and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in French from the University of British Columbia. During her studies, she gained valuable experience working as a 911 dispatcher, which taught her the importance of being calm and composed under pressure, while providing excellent service to the public on their worst day. Currently, Marwa works as a Client Service Assistant at a Real Estate Insurance Brokerage. Her passion for helping others is fueled by her family’s experience of fleeing Afghanistan and seeking refuge in Canada. She is driven to pursue a career where she can help people feel safe and secure in their homes, and this motivation is reflected in all aspects of her life.
Her conservative household upbringing has inspired her to break barriers and encourage women to step outside the boundaries set forth by traditional and societal norms. Marwa’s appreciation for life and seizing every opportunity stems from her husband’s journey with lymphoma after his diagnosis was confirmed within a week of their marriage. Although it was a difficult time, it taught them the true meaning of “in sickness and health” and showed them the beauty of embracing life and its opportunities. She hopes to inspire other women to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in the world by embracing their uniqueness and putting “Carpe Diem” into action. In addition to her career achievements, Marwa has always had a passion for volunteering and giving back to her community. She has dedicated her free time to various volunteer efforts, including coordinating children’s summer camps, volunteering at local hospitals, and freelance modelling for female-owned small businesses.
When she isn’t pursuing her career aspirations, Marwa enjoys spending her free time exploring the great outdoors through activities such as ATV’ing, kayaking and, can often be found hiking with her beloved cat, Ovi. Despite not knowing how to swim, she refuses to let fear hold her back from new experiences and adventures. She is a true representative of multiculturalism values and through her experiences, she has learned to embrace life with courage and positivity, inspiring others to do the same and strive for their dreams, no matter the challenges they may face.
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
My interests include singing and writing songs, dancing, playing sports or working out, reading, journalling and above all, spending time with my fur baby. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family more than anything!
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
Though I have not had any direct training, I have grown up being naturally drawn to the arts. I have participated in various plays throughout my life. I have been in choir, as one of the primary soloists, and have also sung at multiple charity events. I have a passion for dancing and have learned the traditional Afghan ‘Attan’ dance but, I am also able to do Bollywood, Contemporary, Hip Hop and a little bit of Salsa dancing.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
I love playing sports and some of the sports I have participated in are; Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Cross Country/Track and Field, Dance and, Weight Training.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
As a student, I had a high school French teacher who truly inspired me. She had a gift for making literature come alive and engaging us in thought-provoking discussions while still allowing us to have fun with the educational material. She was always approachable and eager to help us improve our skills. Thanks to her, I developed a lifelong love of languages and writing. I still look back on her class as one of the most positive and memorable experiences of my high school years.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
Marrying for love can be a difficult decision when coming from a conservative background of arranged marriages. However, it can also be a liberating and empowering choice. By following my heart and choosing my partner based on mutual love and respect, I have not only found happiness, but I have also broken the cycle of tradition and expectation that can often hold us back. I am proud to have made this choice and to have found a life partner who shares my values and beliefs.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
Speaking multiple languages is one of the most interesting things about me, and it has allowed me to connect with people from all over the world when I travel. Being able to communicate in different languages has helped me break down cultural barriers and develop meaningful connections with people I might not have been able to otherwise. It’s a valuable skill that has opened up countless doors for me and enriched my experiences abroad.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
Continued education is incredibly important to me, and I have always loved being a student. I believe that learning is a lifelong process, and I am constantly seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills. In particular, I am passionate about the field of real estate and hope to grow at my current company, eventually becoming a licensed broker. Ultimately, my goal is to start my own brokerage and use my expertise to help others achieve their real estate dreams.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
My dream job is to become a business owner, and I am driven by a desire to make a positive impact in people’s lives. Coming from Afghanistan, where many people have lived in fear of losing their homes, I am passionate about helping individuals and families find safety and security through affordable and sustainable housing solutions. As a business owner, I would leverage my skills and resources to create opportunities for those who are struggling and make a meaningful difference in my community.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
My family fled from Afghanistan to Russia before I was born, due to political tensions that made it necessary to hide our ethnic background. My father was a business owner, but his passing was a devastating blow to our family. Fortunately, we were eventually sponsored to move to Canada, where we were able to live with our grandparents and start anew. Growing up in Canada, I developed close relationships with my sister and cousins and spent my formative years in school, building a foundation of knowledge and skills that have helped me throughout my life. Being raised by a single mom has been a source of inspiration for me. Despite the challenges and obstacles she faced, my mother invested her whole life in ensuring that her children never felt the absence of our father. She worked tirelessly to provide for us and create a loving and supportive home environment. Growing up, my mother encouraged me to follow my passions, allowing me to participate in sports, drama, and singing. Her unwavering support gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams and has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the sacrifices that parents make for their children.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
One of the most interesting jobs I have had was working as a 911 dispatcher. It was a fast-paced and intense environment, where I was responsible for answering emergency calls and dispatching the appropriate first responders to the scene. The job required strong communication skills, quick thinking, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. While it could be emotionally challenging at times, it was also incredibly rewarding to know that I was helping people in their time of need.
List any volunteering you have done.
Some of my volunteer experience includes being a coordinator at various children’s summer camps, volunteering in the renal department of Royal Columbian Hospital, serving as a volunteer coordinator at the Vancouver Children’s Festival, acting as a Peer Mentor in high school, and most recently, performing as a singer at a Fanca (Fijian Muslim Sports Federation) event and a Heart & Stroke Foundation event.
What is your most unusual talent?
One of my unusual talents is being able to sing fluently in Hindi, which is not my native language. I have a passion for music and have worked hard to master this skill, which has allowed me to connect with a wider audience and explore new genres of music. Additionally, I am also able to do a convincing impression of Alvin, the chipmunk, which is always a crowd-pleaser and brings a smile to people’s faces.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
The most interesting place I have visited are the Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza. The preservation of the site was breathtaking, and it was incredible to see how humans in the past were able to construct such impressive architecture without the aid of modern technology. Walking through the ruins, I gained a new appreciation for the ingenuity and skill of the ancient Mayan civilization. It was a humbling experience that put into perspective just how much we are capable of accomplishing on our own and how we have evolved as a species over time.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In 10 years, my goal is to have my own brokerage through which I can help my community accomplish their real estate goals and have the the home of their dreams. I will build a beautiful home for my family that I hope to expand. I will provide my mother with the life she has always desired, given the sacrifices she has made for our family. I would love to travel to Russia to visit my father’s grave and Afghanistan, where my family originates from. Although these countries may not currently be the safest to travel to, I hope that the political climate improves, and I can fulfill my dream of visiting these significant places. Exploring new cultures and seeing different parts of the world has always been a passion of mine, and I hope to continue traveling and experiencing new things throughout my life. I also look forward to watching my wonderful niece and nephew grow and hope to be an inspiration to them to follow their dreams as I did by participating in Miss Universe Canada and hopefully being the 2023 title holder.