MAHAM Javaid, from Pakistan, studied politics at New York University in the United States. She spoke to Student World Online about the Falak Sufi scholarship, which has funded her two-year master's program in Near Eastern studies.
Student World Online: Thanks for talking to us Maham. What and where did you study before you came to New York University (NYU)?
Maham: I took my GCSE exams in Karachi at the Karachi Grammar School and then I did my undergrad in social sciences from LUMS (Lahore University of Management Sciences.)
SWO: Why did you want to study abroad?
Maham: I wanted to study at NYU's Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies because I had heard much about the critical thinking skills they offer to teach their students and that is something I wanted to learn.
SWO: Why are you interested in political science? What would you like to do as a career?
Maham: I am interested in political science because I want to be a journalist and one of my beats is politics.
SWO: Tell me about your scholarship?
Maham: It is called the Falak Sufi scholarship and was set up to honour the memory of a student on the Near Eastern Studies program who died tragically in 2008. The scholarship supports students from countries with a majority Islamic population in South Asia who might not otherwise be able to obtain a graduate education.
SWO: How did you find out about the Falak Sufi scholarship and why did you apply?
Maham: I found out about it through a former Kevorkian student and I applied because I wanted a graduate education and a chance to research Pakistan further and this was perfect.
SWO: What was the application process like and why do you think you were successful?
Maham: The application process was quite difficult, I had to gather all my documents, take the GRE and the Toefl and write two separate essays. I think I got in because my recommendations were great and because my published work is impressive. These were my two outstanding features. Everything else on my application was ordinary.
SWO: How much is the Falak Sufi scholarship and what does it cover?
Maham: The scholarship is US$24,000 a year. It covers full tuition and living expenses. The travel from Pakistan and back is on my own expense.
SWO: What are you learning on your program and how will it help you professionally?
Maham: I am learning so much! I am learning how to question everything and everyone. And I am learning how to read critically. I am learning different ways of thinking and different ways of approaching a problem. I am learning that opinions are never right or wrong, they are merely opinions. I am learning that most of the world's crises are man-made.
SWO: If you hadn’t got a scholarship would you still have been able to afford to study abroad for your master’s?
Maham: Absolutely not.
SWO: What is it New York like?
Maham: New York City is a great place to be. I am so grateful to be living here.
SWO: What is it like being an international student in the US? Is it an expensive place to live?
Maham: It's a very expensive place to be, but it's all about budgeting. If you're smart enough to get into NYU, I think you'll be smart enough to budget, so don't worry!
SWO: What do you want to do after you graduate?
Maham: Well my aim is to be a conflict zone reporter for an international media agency.
SWO: Do you have any advice for political science students thinking of studying abroad?
Maham: Keep an open mind and you will learn more than you can imagine.
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