Before My Time

Some of us grow up before our time — not in body, but in soul.

Before My Time is a collection of reflections written in Syrian Arabic, with English versions alongside, about the closed doors, the long waiting, and the quiet faith that shape a person.

It is for anyone who has been told “not yet,” and is learning to thank themselves for still walking.

Many of you know me through dentistry — as the internationally trained dentist who applied for four cycles before finally being accepted. But long before any application, there was a girl who grew up before her time.

These reflections were written through the closed doors, the long waiting, and the quiet faith that shaped me. I wrote them in Syrian Arabic, with English versions alongside, so they could reach both the people I grew up with and the people I have met along the way.

This book is for anyone who has been told “not yet.” If it helps you feel a little less alone in the waiting — and a little prouder of yourself for still walking — it has done what I hoped.

Aya Misrabi is a Syrian dentist and a writer shaped by resilience.

She earned her DMD in Syria and is now a D3 student at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, accepted after four application cycles. Through this website, she offers honest, free guidance to internationally trained dentists walking the same path.

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