Danny Morrison: We’re here with Eirzaad Hussain, the world-renowned cricketer from Guyana. While he is known for his skillful display of batting on the field, he faced a new challenge in his first semester of college. He was tasked with navigating his Narrative Medicine class, from an essay about his personal story to analyzing metaphors and even a research essay. Today, we’ll be interviewing him about how his first semester went and the challenges he faced.
Eirzaad Hussain: Thank you for having me, Danny. It’s a pleasure to be here. Honestly, this semester was like a Test match: long, mentally demanding, and full of moments where I had to dig deep, but it was also gratifying.
Danny Morrison: That’s a great analogy, Eirzaad. Let’s start with your first assignment, “The Outside Narrative.” Tell us about the writing process and what you learned from it.
Eirzaad Hussain: The Outside Narrative felt like the first ball of an innings. I needed to get my eye in before making my shots. I initially struggled with finding the right angle but eventually wrote about my transition from Guyana to the U.S. and how cricket helped me find my footing in my culture. It was profoundly personal and reminded me of those early nets sessions where everything felt foreign, but it became second nature with time. Writing that essay taught me to appreciate my journey and cricket’s role in shaping my identity. It is pretty funny that I resented cricket at one point. Look at me now!
Danny Morrison: That is pretty ironic. It’s funny how life works. The Outsider Narrative sounds like a powerful piece. Cricket, as a metaphor for adapting to life, is genuinely relatable. Now, your next assignment was about metaphors. This one seemed out of your comfort zone, a guy who plays cricket talking about something profound like cancer and war metaphors.
Eirzaad Hussain: Oh, this was a tricky one! Writing the metaphor essay reminded me of facing a bowler who constantly changes his length. Many people don’t know this about me, Danny, but I’m quite the history geek. I aced my APWH and APUSH classes with flying colors. I also really enjoy watching history videos. I do not enjoy watching them as much as cricket videos, but you get the point. The essay was like facing a new bowler; you must get “set” before taking big shots. I had first to understand what the prompt was throwing at me before I could start launching the ball. Once I understood what I would write and did enough research, I couldn’t be stopped.
Danny Morrison: That’s an excellent metaphor, and I can see how your essay must have resonated with readers. Moving on, tell us about your Critical Lens essay. What was your lens, and how did cricket factor into it?
Eirzaad Hussain: This assignment was like playing in a high-stakes ODI match. My lens was Arthur Frank’s The Wounded Storyteller. I analyzed how different narratives faced during life could be applied to something like a Disney movie. I drew comparisons to cricket’s highs and lows when writing this essay and how there are still lessons to be learned even when you are losing. I applied this to Frozen and analyzed how there are lessons to take in even though we may face a low in life. I also drew a comparison to the imperfection that is life sometimes and used it to write this essay.
Danny Morrison: That’s fascinating. Your essay must have been an eye-opener for many. Now, the research essay is often the most challenging assignment for students. How did you tackle it?
Eirzaad Hussain: The research essay was like preparing for a World Cup final. It required strategy, resilience, and a strong game plan. I chose to explore the evolution of autism from one of stigma to neurodiversity. Using Lenord G Davis’s Constructing Normalcy as my lens, I learned more about the norm and conformity. Writing this essay helped me realize that breaking the mold can lead to extraordinary outcomes, whether in cricket or life. In cricket, unconventional players like Lasith Malinga or Shivnarine Chanderpaul often faced criticism for not fitting the mold despite their brilliance. It is essential to recognize autism for what it is and not try to fit everything into a specific mold. The hardest part was sifting through academic sources to support my argument, which felt like analyzing hours of match footage to prepare for an opponent. However, as the essay came together, I felt a sense of accomplishment akin to scoring a century after a tough innings.
Danny Morrison: That’s a fantastic topic, Eirzaad. It’s clear you poured your heart into your work. Finally, reflecting on the semester as a whole, how did this experience shape you as a student and a cricketer?
Eirzaad Hussain: This semester taught me the value of discipline and adaptability, qualities that are essential both on the pitch and in academics. Like cricket, writing requires patience, precision, and the ability to handle setbacks. There were moments of frustration but also immense growth. Most importantly, it reminded me that whether I’m facing a fast bowler or a blank page, the key is to stay focused and trust the process. These lessons will definitely stay with me in both arenas.
Danny Morrison: Wise words, Eirzaad. It’s inspiring to see how you’ve bridged your passion for cricket with your academic pursuits. Thank you for sharing your journey, and we’re excited to see what’s next for you, both on and off the field.
Eirzaad Hussain: Thank you, Danny. It’s been a pleasure. Here’s to many more innings—in cricket and life!
