Life rewards the bold.
Migrating into a new environment and adapting to cultural/academic norms is daunting. It takes a lot of courage to thrive in a space where you are different and othered. In two years and four semesters, I have enjoyed the flexibility of taking courses in education and leadership and designing projects to foster inclusion and transformation in learning. I have acquired communication, project management, and research skills through multiple internships and extra-curricular engagements. I have ventured into spaces as a facilitator and project lead by being courageous and resilient, albeit with fear and anxiety.Â
More specifically, I co-designed and facilitated an Educational Hackathon for Nigerian teachers in collaboration with Building21, ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University. This project was supported by the MasterCard Transitions Program and the BYE program of the United Nations Association in Canada. We created a learning space for intercultural conversations on global education issues and potential solutions. Having completed this prototypical project, we are considering scaling up and redesigning based on feedback received.Â
I left Nigeria asking: “What is my purpose? I now understand that finding purpose requires hard work and consistency. My program completion came with clarity of purpose and passion. I feel emboldened and empowered with skills, resources, and the mindset to take on new endeavors, irrespective of the challenges.
Amarachi Jennifer Onuorah (Nigeria)
Mastercard Foundation Scholar Alumna, M.A. Educational Leadership