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.
More specifically, I co-designed and facilitated an Educational Hackathon for Nigerian teachers in collaboration with Building21, McGill 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.
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
