Miss Universe® Canada 2008 - The Magic Continues

AGE: 20 | HEIGHT: 5'11" | HOMETOWN: CONCORD, ON

Aleksandra Malkin is an ambitious, strong minded and loving individual who is dedicated to the people she loves and the goals she sets for herself.

Aleksandra was raised in Israel and had immigrated to Canada at the age of ten. Not only did she manage to adapt and acquire the language beautifully in less than a year but also she is grateful for the loving and multicultural country of Canada whom she is proud to call her home.

Sponsored by: MG MODE, Forest Hill Prosthodontics-Dr Harold Berenstein, Cosmedicare, David Scott Cosmetics, Bellair Tan, Strictly Fitness Gym, Sparkle Window Cleaning, Campus Gals, Marina Lemoyne Couture, Atlantic Gateway International Inc., Boris Birnstein, Loudmilla Bourlakova, Diloro Tursun-zade, Ronit Tkach - Mortgage Consultant, Yael Malkin - Makeup Artist, Gayana's Design, Cash Money (Bathurst & Finch), Florida Garage, Family and Friends.

Biography (click to open) ±

She is full of life and exudes passion, confidence and kindness. Aleksandra is an aspiring pediatrician and hopes to eventually open up her own prenatal clinic where she can place her focus on the healthcare and betterment of expecting mothers and infants.

She believes that change can come in the form of an individual, which is why she promotes volunteer work within the community. She is currently a member of the Youth Challenge International where she was given the opportunity to travel to Guyana and other parts of Africa and South America to promote AIDS awareness and rebuilding the communities through youth workshops.

Aleksandra is currently in her second year at York University where she is majoring in Biochemistry. She loves to continuously educate herself and absorb knowledge all around her.

Her hobbies include theatrical performances, reading, and writing, staying active and spending time with her loved ones. Her fun loving nature allows her to live and appreciate each day to the fullest. She believes that the opportunity of becoming Miss Universe Canada will provide a platform to bring awareness towards issues such as pollution and global warming, the rise in the AIDS epidemic, and the promotion of a variety of community centred activities where youth can learn team based values and help others within their communities.

Questionnaire (click to open) ±

Are you currently a student? Yes
If yes, where? York University, Keele Campus
Area of study: Biochemistry Major

Are you currently employed? Yes
If yes, what is your occupation? I am a bartender at Lobby lounge and Circa Club.

Have you completed secondary school?
Yes i have received my Diploma with honors from Unionville High School along with a Theatre and arts diploma.
If yes, where? Unionville High School in Markham Ontario

Have you completed university/college?
I am currently in my second year at York University working towards my BSc
If yes, where? York

Have you completed any technical/professional school? No

Languages spoken Fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language)
Hebrew
Russian
English

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
I was enrolled in an Arts York Theatre program and had received a diploma upon graduating high school from 2000-2004. I am currently enlisted in piano lessons, as I have always had a passion for classical music and recently decided to take up training.

In what sports, if any, have you participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
I was also enrolled in Rhythmic gymnastics at the age of 8, for about 3 years in total. I also loved basketball and although I can admit that I didn't play very well my love for the sport allowed me to participate in the basketball team from grade 7-9.

Please list any schools and universities (public/private/graduate/trade or technical) you have or are attending, as well as the area of study, graduation date and any degree or certification you received.
Unionville High School, graduated in July 2004
Arts York Theatre Program, graduated in July 2004
York University (Biochemistry major) second year (2010)

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?
YCI is an internationally based volunteer program that works with students and volunteers to send away to countries in need across the world to help promote aids awareness, along with women's workshops and community rebuilding programs. This is an organization that I am proudly involved with and very passionate about as I will be apart of the Ghana trip, June 2008. Other charities I am passionate about include the multiple sclerosis Society, heart and stroke and breast cancer foundation.

What would be your "dream job" in life?
Ever since I was a little girl my ambition was to become a pediatrician. As I grew older my ambition GREW STRONGER and my goal was to broaden my knowledge of this field. My dream had always consisted of helping others with my passion for humanity. I would ultimately want to open up a prenatal clinic that is centred on women's health issues and that provides the best quality health care and support for infants and expecting parents. Ultimately, my definition of a successful career is by the amount of positive impact on other people's lives.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
My grandmother has always brought such inspiration to my life. She had undergone many struggles such as raising and maintaining a good life for her family as a single parent yet never losing passion for school and her own ambitions. She strived towards her PhD and still to this day loves to learn and educate herself on current issues. The most admirable trait my grandmother carries and definitely transmitted onto me was always holding a positive and strong outlook on life and has continuously taught me to be caring and respectful towards the people around me. My grandmother has tremendously impacted my life and continues to entice me with her brave and loving attitude.

What is the proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition)?
My proudest personal accomplishment consists of being accepted and completing an intensive dramatic/theatre arts program.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to own prenatal clinics around the world that focus on health care issues for both mothers and infants while maintaining a clinical atmosphere that is safe, loving and comfortable for expecting parents. I am currently a biochemistry student at York University, in which I am working towards my acceptance into medical school. I would love to gain all the knowledge and understanding in the health care field so that I will be able to help and impact others with passion and dedication I hold. My ideal goal would consist of opening prenatal clinics where time and medical aid is volunteered in regions of the world such as Africa that are in need of proper healthcare.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was raised in Israel, and immigrated to Canada at the age of 10. Israel, holds many of my childhood memories and was truly an incredible country to live in. The political struggles in Israel provided me with a mature environment as I was taught about war, politics and how to be independent at a very young age. Moving to the beautiful country of Canada, the multicultural lifestyle had molded me into the open-minded person that I am today. Overall, my childhood was full of love and care, my small yet close network of family and friends in both Israel and Canada, provided me with all the support and nourishment I needed to grow into a strong and loving woman.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
Bartending has definitely provided me with many interesting experiences. It provides me with endless opportunities of meeting fascinating and great people. There is an endless amount of useful advice found through listening to other life stories.

List any volunteering you have done.
I have always been very active in small communal based projects such as volunteering in retirement homes, math and science tutoring and being a part of the sick kids fundraiser auction held at a women's golf club. I was also involved in helping raise funds for breast cancer research along with YCI organizational trips.

Where is the most interesting place you have been?
The most interesting place I have been would have to be Jamaica. Not only is Jamaica an absolutely beautiful island but it also carries a very free-spirited and utopian type of atmosphere, which I was very enticed by.

What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
Every one of the contestants is unique and charming in their own way. I believe that my passionate and humourous approach in life sets me apart from the other beautiful ladies. I try to live each day with an optimistic approach. Throughout the years I have learned that struggles merely help mold an individual, which is why it is important to focus on the good instead of the unpleasant. I lead my life with a sense of humour each day, as you must learn how to laugh at yourself sometimes.

What is your philosophy of/in life?
I lead my life with honesty and truth. To me, the most important philosophy in life is to be able to stay true to yourself and true to what you believe. Happily.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
The beauty about life is that you can never approximate where it may lead you, but my hopes are to successfully and proudly lead a life where my passions are fulfilled. Most importantly I would like to happily live out my aspirations while being surrounded by people that I love.