Tortola's Rising Star Aaliyah Imran
Born on Tortola and raised between the US and UK, Aaliyah F. Imran graduated high school just shy of 16 and will begin studies at Birmingham City University as she pursues a career in law. She is participating in the BVI Finance Tomorrow's Leaders Internship Programme with MKS Law and credits her upbringing and her mother's resilience for her drive.
Imran was born on Tortola in 2008 and says her childhood split between the Virgin Islands, the United States and the United Kingdom shaped who she is today. After moving to the US at 7 or 8 for schooling and later to the UK at 12, she recently completed college in Britain and will begin studies at Birmingham City University as she aims for a career in law.
Aaliyah graduated from high school just shy of her 16th birthday. She says the experience of schooling across three jurisdictions taught her adaptability and gave her confidence in social and academic settings. She believes those early opportunities helped accelerate her progress and provide an extra boost toward her goals.
While Aaliyah acknowledges occasional challenges with exams and time management, she describes learning quickly and persisting through difficulty. She expects to complete legal studies early, with plans to be a qualified barrister by about 20 or 21 and to represent her country internationally in the future.
Locally, Aaliyah is taking part in the BVI Finance Tomorrow's Leaders Internship Programme and was selected by MKS Law for her placement. The internship aligns with her ambition to work in law and to bring financial stability to her family, particularly to support her mother, who raised her as a single parent with consistent support from her father.
Aaliyah credits her mother for inspiring resilience. Her middle name, Faith, reflects a life-threatening complication experienced by her mother during pregnancy, a reminder to keep believing during difficult moments. That personal history underpins Aaliyah's determination to keep pushing forward and to turn setbacks into motivation.
Despite her academic focus, Aaliyah emphasises the importance of balance. She enjoys fashion, makeup and socialising, and loves outdoor activities familiar to BVI residents, including hiking and water sports such as jet skiing and canoeing. She warns that young people today can become overwhelmed by academic and personal pressures and encourages peers to maintain balance, seek support, and keep faith.
For BVI readers, Aaliyah's story highlights the pathways available to young people from the Territory: international education, internship opportunities at home, and the potential to return and contribute professionally. This profile is adapted from Virgin Islands News Online.
Primary source: VINO