To say that being a part of the maiden edition of i-Scholar Initiative is one of the best things that have happened to me would be an understatement. The process for me has been enlightening. It is really beyond just getting funded for my GRE. The proximity and access to our sponsors, the advice, the regular encouraging words and even the networking among fellow scholars makes ISI different from other similar initiatives. I had access to mentors and met remarkable people.
I graduated from the University of Ibadan with a BSc (First Class Honors) in Chemistry. While schooling in UI was a great experience, I wanted to go for my graduate studies outside the country however being from a humble background I did not have the means to. Completing my undergraduate studies was already a struggle so I knew I couldn’t ask my parents for anymore money after I finished school, especially because I had my younger ones to also think about.
The peculiar thing about my story is despite that I still had my dream and nurtured it. Yes, circumstances said otherwise but I kept the dream.
Sometime later, a friend send me the link to register for ISI and I applied. Finally, I was privileged to be one of the awardees late last year and so I wrote my GRE in December, a time that could be considered late by most.
After registering for my GRE, I knew the importance of writing TOEFL but I did not have the means to. I kept going because getting accepted as a recipient for ISI’s scholarship further confirmed to me that my dreams were valid. I probably had to work a little bit harder in researching schools and mailing graduate colleges to request for a test of English waiver. Eventually I only got to apply to 3 schools in the US but it did pay off!
Currently, I have been offered a fully funded PhD program in Chemistry with tuition waiver by a University in the USA.
I like to write a lot (I own a blog) and someday soon, I intend to write a holistic story on my journey. The highlight of that story would be how I am so delightful that I have the sponsors, partners and scholars at ISI helping me along the way. I am eternally grateful!
