Life as a Freshman during COVID-19
Mastercard Foundation Scholars share their experiences
The transition from secondary to university education is an important milestone for young people but it can also be a challenging time, as students leave home to pursue higher education.
Despite the challenges, Mastercard Foundation Scholars are optimistic about the future.
Godiolla Akimana
Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Godiolla Akimana is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar from Kirundo, Burundi. She is studying Environmental Health at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. By studying Environmental Health, Godiolla believes she will equip herself with the relevant skills and knowledge to develop solutions that will address climate change and environmental issues in her home country.
“It is really challenging to learn during this pandemic as I was not accustomed to online learning. However, with time, I have adapted to the new mode of learning kind courtesy of resources that the American University of Beirut provided to students. Through this support, I can access classes, connect with classmates and talk to my advisor and school counsellors about my academic challenges, health and mental wellness.”
“The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides me with a space to develop my leadership skills, and allows me to share and implement my ideas on how to change my community positively. Being a Scholar means that I am a transformative leader, devoted to bringing economic and social change in my home country and the African continent.”
Konan Grache Divine Adjoua
Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Konan Grace Divine Adjoua from Cote D’Ivoire is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. As a former refugee, Grace knows firsthand the challenges that refugees face and she wants to work with the UNHCR and allied institutions that elevate the status of refugees after completion of her undergraduate education.
“To my fellow Mastercard Foundation Scholars, if you are privileged enough to be part of the Mastercard Foundation family it’s not ‘luck.’ Your efforts and determination have brought you this far, so keep it up and make yourself, your family and your community proud by paying it forward.”
For Grace, tertiary education seemed a far-fetched dream for her due to her family’s financial condition. However, as part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST, she joins a group of young leaders who are contributing to the growth of the continent.
“I believe I am a pathfinder for young people back at the refugee camp. I see it as a challenge to chart a new course and become a role model that they can look up to. What matters to me is not being the first to open the door but holding the door open for many people, especially refugees, to pass through.”
Christian Adoh
Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Abomey- Calavi, Benin
From Lalo, Benin, Christian Adoh is studying Rural Engineering, Fisheries and Aquaculture at the University of Abomey- Calavi, Benin. By studying Fisheries & Aquaculture at the University, Christian believes that he can help reduce the country’s dependence on fish exports and produce fish locally to boost the economy and create jobs.
With the world still battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Christian believes that resilience is one of the essential qualities that we need to develop in these uncertain times. With resilience and hard work, Christian believes one will be on the path to achieving his goals.
“As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, I am part of a Pan-African network of young people passionate about transformative leadership and personal development. Our communities need the youth to rise and come up with solutions to the many problems facing them and, as a Mastercard Foundation Scholars, I am confident that I will build the skills and network to rise up to the challenge of creating prosperity in my community and Africa as a whole.”
Patience Mwintribo Dery
Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Ashesi University, Ghana
Patience is studying Mechanical Engineering at Ashesi University, Ghana. Patience believes that her program of study will put her on track and equip her with the knowledge and expertise to design machines that will make the lives of people easier. From an early age, Patience Mwintribo Dery was cut out for greatness and won the President of Ghana Independence Day Award for being the best Basic Examination Certificate Examination (BECE) from her region.
“Due to COVID-19, a lot of academic work is now online, and though it is a whole new experience for me, Ashesi University has provided us with the necessary support and resources needed to partake fully in class activities. We have Zoom meetings with our lecturers and we also have the opportunity to book appointments with them to understand our lessons further.”
As a bibliophile, she is equally passionate about promoting literacy and inculcating a reading habit in children. She participated in the Eduspots Changemaker Challenge where she was among the four finalists to compete for a grant to build a library in a chosen community.
“Being a Mastercard Foundation Scholar has given me the opportunity to attend a very diverse and impactful university like Ashesi University, Ghana. I am already benefiting from the many mentorship opportunities available to sharpen my leadership skills. By joining this impact-driven community of Scholars, I am empowered to continue to give back to my community.”
Charles Munga Muiruri
Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Earth University, Costa Rica
Charles Munga Muiruri is studying Agricultural Engineering and Sustainability at Earth University, Costa Rica. Charles had the pleasure of living among the Maasai community in Kenya, where people pride themselves on the size of their herd and land. This source of pride is, however, gradually fading away as a result of the irregular rainfall cycle and the unproductive nature of farmlands due to the harmful effect of climate change.
As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at EARTH University, Charles believes he will have the opportunity of working firsthand with professors in matters relating to sustainable growth, small enterprise development, as well as crop and animal production.
“I aspire to be at the frontline of precision agriculture in Kenya, and the curriculum and coursework at EARTH University will undoubtedly prepare me for such a career. With the knowledge I will gain at EARTH University, I will help my community develop better animal husbandry methods to realise higher yields and assist them in incorporating technology in their daily activities. Realising this vision at community level should empower me to transfer this to other parts of my country and the world while attracting other leaders of change to rally towards making this world a safer place for generations to come.”
“Being a Mastercard Foundation Scholar means being an agent of the world. This is because the scholarship has elevated me to an international platform where I can share and learn from a diverse pool of scholars.”