The bursary could not have had more of a positive impact on my life. From personal and professional development, to invaluable life experiences, the bursary and my time at Dulwich delivered all. I particularly enjoyed the challenge of the new environment, adapting to an entirely different way of life. The healthy competitiveness made everyday exciting, progressive, and memorable. I enjoyed the cultural immersion, sharing my daily life with people from all over the globe and all walks of life. I enjoyed the trips I went on, playing football in Barcelona and Lisbon, fully funded as part of the bursary. I enjoyed experiencing my personal development, transforming into a more rounded and professional individual. I enjoyed the life long friendships and professional connections that I made. Overall, I enjoyed the unprecedented exposure to another way of life, and making the most of my opportunity.

The bursary has changed my life for the better in ways that cannot be summarised easily. It provided me with experiences that I would never have had, exposing me to new ways of viewing life and helping me to understand the greatness of my prospects. It provided me with the platform to make a strong network, which is perhaps the most important benefit I left with. I experienced a great level of personal development; I developed a level of social skill that I didn't know I was capable of, a new proactive and driven attitude towards my career, and a powerful sense of self-belief. Undoubtedly, the bursary is one of the best things that could have happened to me.

Now I am working at IFAD, a specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated to addressing poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries. Growing up in a less privileged background and being beneficiary of the bursary, I experienced firsthand how transformative the work of organisations that invest in the potential of people can be. I therefore wish to make the most of my internship at IFAD, complete my Master's degree, and rejoin IFAD to help deliver their mission to those most in need.