At the age of 30, Kapuso actress Yasmien Kurdi finally received her college diploma during her graduation rites which took place on April 6 at PICC.
The actress graduated magna cum laude and earned her degree in Political Science from Arellano University.
According to a PEP Alerts article, Kurdi kept her academic achievement a secret from her mother because she wanted to surprise her on her actual graduation day.
“Meron akong surprise para sa mom ko this Saturday na hindi ko ini-expect na makukuha ko sa graduation. Kaya sobrang excited ako sa magaganap sa Sabado. “Hindi niya po alam talaga. Kahit ako rin, nagulat po,” Kurdi was quoted as saying.
She also shared with the entertainment news website a photo of the graduation programme wherein her name is included in the list of students who will graduate magna cum laude.
Kurdi said that she felt that she was able to finally make it up and prove herself to her mother after she got married at an early age.
She also wants to serve as an inspiration to others and prove that no one is too old to pursue their passion.
“Gusto ko rin po kasing ma-inspire ang ibang tao, lalo na sa mga working students na never give up lang po.
“Hindi rin siya talagang madali for you. Nakakapagod naman talaga kung pagsabay-sabayin mo.
“Pero kung meron ka talagang gustong gawin, wala naman talagang imposible,” she said.
It can be recalled that Kurdi said in a previous interview with PEP.ph that she would like to help overseas Filipino workers (OFW) with her college degree.
“Kasi di ba dati kumuha ako ng Foreign Service? Na-inspire kasi ako dahil… di ba tumira kami dati sa Kuwait? ‘Tapos, nasa war zone kami dun, nasa Gulf War kami… ‘Tapos, nakita ko yung mga struggles ng mga OFW, Overseas Filipino Workers…
“’Tapos, yung mom ko din po mismo naging OFW. Nakita ko po na hindi ganun ka-fair yung treatment sa mga kababayan natin dun.
“Parang sabi ko noon, baka puwede ko silang matulungan in the future in my own little way kung kaya ko, kung hindi na ako artista,” she said.
Kurdi added that she wants to pursue post-graduate studies to further serve OFWs.
“Ang naiisip ko po ngayon is something like baka mag-masteral po ako sa Consular Diplomacy or International Studies. Lalo na po marunong po akong mag-Arabic, so kaya ko silang [matulungan],” she said.
