“I loved going to school when I was a kid and would wake up early to make sure not to miss a day. This bubble popped in 10th grade (Matriculation) when I was studying under the government education system and realized how rugged it was. It is a never-ending cycle of producing the same information and grading students over outdated standards. I switched to A-Levels regardless of the magnitude of difference between the two systems. I started to look around me with an open mindset and questioning things. Being an outsider in A-Levels, I was putting in double the effort to compete. At the same time, I realized I was now a grown-up girl in a desi household in Pakistan. I saw how opportunities were limited for me and observed patriarchy in all its glory. While fighting against bullying and harassment at school, it pained me how the youth was unguided in Pakistan and made it my next endeavor to do my part to change it. I found myself fighting for little things to have independence over.
I remember leaving my school in the evening because I was so determined to get admitted to an international university to explore my maximum potential and ended up applying to 25 universities. A pandemic hit the world, and while the whole world was limited, It was an endless opportunity for me. With everything transitioned to online, I now had access to opportunities I no longer had before. While waiting to enroll, I joined AIESEC, and that was my dream come true as it stands for Peace and Fulfillment of Humankind’s Potential. I am now doing an economics and innovation undergraduate from Asia Pacific University, Japan. I am so excited to see what’s coming next.”