My experience as a fellow for the mEducation Alliance 2023 symposium was one of the most rewarding opportunities I have ever received. I stumbled upon this remarkable opportunity on an ordinary August afternoon, casually perusing my inbox. The catalyst for this surreal experience was my habit of thoroughly viewing emails from Dr. Hughes Rinker.
The symposium spanned over four days, the first three days were held at Mason Square in Arlington which the attendees found to be an innovative building. The theme of this year’s symposium was “Inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders” which prompted interesting sessions. I was joined by five other accomplished Mason students and graduates who served as profound sources of inspiration for me. I am immensely proud to say that our team's dedication ensured the smooth execution of the symposium and earned us positive feedback from countless attendees.
As a Global Affairs major, every setting that allows me to engage with international stakeholders equips me with the skills for success in my field. I had conversations with prominent figures from the World Bank, UNHCR, USAID, NASA, World Education, and more. With every interaction, I had the honor of representing not just Mason but also my student organization, No Lost Generation @Mason which is dedicated to refugee advocacy. I gained invaluable insight from the attendees and at the end of the symposium, I felt that I took a giant leap closer to my goals.
On the last day of the symposium, we were invited to the World Bank which was an unforgettable experience. The networking and the wisdom shared there catalyzed my decision to pursue a Master's degree and a career in the international development sector. Lastly, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Ninon Nelson for her unwavering support throughout this symposium and to Anthony Bloome for crafting this fellowship opportunity. It was an honor to receive the fellowship and work with the mEducation Alliance.