With dreams of becoming a journalist and a suitcase full of hope,16-year-old Noor Ibrahim embarked on a life-changing journey from Saudi Arabia to Canada. She arrived in August of 2015 ready to begin her post-secondary studies in journalism – broadcasting and electronic media at Durham College.
“I was very excited obviously, and very scared as well,” Ibrahim recalled with a smile. Fortunately, having a sibling already in Canada, especially in Oshawa, eased her transition.
Ibrahim’s path to journalism wasn’t straightforward. “I always wanted to be a journalist,” she reflected, recalling how she watched the news with her father. At the time, she thought, “I might as well do that.” However, during her high school years, her career aspirations became “hazy.”
She found herself torn between aerospace engineering and astronomy. Ultimately, Ibrahim chose journalism at the last minute, applying to Durham College, which laid the foundation for her future success.
Brian Legree, her instructor for three subjects, admired Ibrahim’s courage. “I have admiration and respect for everything she’s achieved,” he said, his voice filled with pride. Leaving home, leaving that familiar situation and coming to Oshawa to chase a dream, was a brave step into the unknown, said Legree. Ibrahim’s journey required poise and unshakable self-confidence, qualities she consistently displayed in her work.
Despite being younger than her peers, Ibrahim’s maturity and dedication stood out. “It didn’t feel abnormal, I didn’t feel different,” said Ibrahim, reminiscing about her early days in Canada. But now looking back, she feels she was “very young,” and the things she used to struggle to understand make sense now.
Danielle Harder, another professor, noted Ibrahim wasn’t one to just accept things. “She will challenge you if she does not agree with you,” said Harder, who initially mistook this trait for arrogance until she realized it was self-confidence.
Ibrahim appreciated this aspect of her education. “I commend my professors for creating an environment where it was possible to argue and present your own point of view,” she said. She emphasized the importance of being able to challenge story assignments that might not do justice to those affected, suggesting alternative approaches to better represent the issue at hand.
In a field where self-assuredness can make the difference between a good story and a great one, Ibrahim’s confidence became one of her defining strengths.
At Durham College, she fully embraced her experience, refusing to be limited by the “international student” label.
“She probably knew more students on campus than anyone in her program,” Harder observed. “She never saw herself as someone who didn’t belong or was only here temporarily, but rather as a ‘Durham College student.'”
This ability to blend her background with her new surroundings allowed Ibrahim to create stories that resonated on both personal and universal levels.
“When I was home all of the news that I was used to be consuming and what we are used to seeing on television is very international,” she explained.
It was after coming to Canada she realized she wasn’t exposed to local and hyper-local news.
Thus, it was a challenge for her to be able to get better at understanding what kind of hyper-local stories would matter to a community, and how to be able to tell them better.
Ibrahim also faced common student challenges. She found managing deadlines tricky, especially in the broadcasting stream.
“You would sometimes have two different assignments with the same deadline,” she recalled. Though overwhelming at first, she improved with practice.
Harder explained, “As a journalist, she is succeeding because she can get anyone to talk, she is a great storyteller and she can make connections.”
Ibrahim’s commitment extended beyond her studies; she was also active in Enactus, a student group focused on sustainable development, and she produced a show for Riot Radio.
Ibrahim’s work was characterized by authenticity and professionalism. Harder recalled a blood donation drive project from Ibrahim’s second year: “Her voicing sounded like someone who had been in the industry for years, her shots were amazing, it was like she had shot B-rolls her entire life, everything was so professional.”
This dedication was evident in every assignment, from campus events to city council meetings. Ibrahim’s proactive approach and thorough research impressed her instructors and demonstrated her passion for journalism.
“She was a real pleasure to teach and I couldn’t be more proud of what she’s doing,” said Legree with voice filled with admiration.
During her internship at Rogers Communication, Ibrahim’s talent shone brightly. “We have never had a student like this before who just gets it,” her supervisors told Harder during a placement visit. Ibrahim’s drive to chase stories convinced Harder that they “haven’t seen the last” of her.
After graduating as the highest-ranking student from Durham College in 2017, Ibrahim pursued a bachelor’s degree in media studies at Trent University. Her career quickly took off, landing an internship at Global News Peterborough in 2019. Within months, she secured a full-time position as a video journalist and live reporter.
In 2023, Ibrahim’s career reached new heights as she moved to Toronto, taking on roles as a weather anchor and video journalist at Global News.
Ibrahim’s resilience and ambition were evident in her work ethic. Jaye Makinson, her manager at Global News Peterborough, noted: “She was very driven, very ambitious, and never shied away from tough stories.”
Ibrahim often stayed late, driven by her pursuit of excellence. “Even after her shift ended, she’d stay late, working to make sure every detail was right,” Makinson added.
Noor Ibrahim’s journey proves that success knows no borders.
With passion and determination, she turned her dreams into reality, inspiring others to chase their ambitions, regardless of their origins. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the rewards of embracing new challenges in pursuit of one’s goals.
“All you need is within you,” said Ibrahim.