Do Not Be Afraid of Pursuing Your Goal
It can be hard to accept that life is not always fair and that bad things can happen. I want to share the personal pain that I went through. There were times when I wanted to give up, but my family’s unwavering support kept me going. Despite all the hardships, I am determined to create a better future for myself and my family. I know that there are more challenges and struggles waiting for me in the future. However, I am ready for whatever comes my way, and I also know that with hard work, determination, and a positive attitude, I can overcome any obstacle that hinders my path to success.
Pakistan
It all started in Pakistan, where I belong and where conditions are not good for girls. Pakistan is a developing country with a population of over 200 million people. It faces various challenges, including poverty, corruption, terrorism, and inequality, which affect different aspects of life, including education, health, and social welfare. The country's patriarchal society and political dominance have contributed to a wide gender gap, with women facing significant discrimination and limited access to opportunities. One of the main challenges in Pakistan is the low literacy rate, especially among women. Moreover, women in Pakistan face many restrictions and barriers to obtaining higher education, including societal norms and values, a lack of educational opportunities, and a lack of support from their families. This has resulted in a significant gender gap in education, with women being severely underrepresented in higher education institutions.
My house had a window that faced the street, but it was small and only gave a limited view of the outside world. From that window, I often wondered about the purpose of my being. I was a curious girl who loved to explore and learn new things, but I felt trapped inside my small world. I longed to see beyond the narrow view from my window and discover the secrets and wonders of the world outside. However, in my culture, it was considered inappropriate for a single girl to travel alone to another country for her studies. I requested permission from my parents to move abroad for my graduate studies. My parents were initially hesitant to let me go because of cultural customs and safety issues, but I was passionate about accomplishing my dream. I explained my idea to my parents in the hopes that they would recognize my enthusiasm for learning and the opportunities it would present, and in the end, my resilience convinced them to give me permission to move forward. My parents ultimately agreed after much convincing and permitted me to travel to Dubai. I promised to be responsible and take all necessary precautions to ensure my safety. I also assured them that I would stay in touch with them regularly and respect their cultural traditions while in Dubai. They helped me prepare for the trip and even accompanied me to the airport to ensure my safe departure.
Arrival in Dubai
When I arrived in Dubai, I was thrilled to finally be pursuing my dreams. I arrived in Dubai with high hopes and aspirations. I was excited to start my new life in the city of dreams. I was a bright and ambitious student who had always dreamed of pursuing my studies abroad and found that Dubai had many renowned universities offering courses in my field of interest. I had heard about the booming economy and the abundance of job opportunities in the city, but unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Excited to start my academic journey, I applied to several universities in the city. Unfortunately, I soon discovered that the universities in Dubai were very expensive, and as an international student, I would have to pay a significant amount of tuition fees. I tried to overcome these challenges, but I was unable to get accepted at any of the universities I had applied to. I was dissatisfied and impatient, wondering if my ambition of attending a university abroad would ever come true. The cost of living in Dubai turned out to be far higher than I had imagined, and despite my best efforts, I had trouble finding a job. I was forced to settle for a little partition in a busy residential area due to my limited means to pay for an adequate flat. There was hardly enough space for my belongings in the small, restrictive partition, which also had a window. I had a hard time getting along. Days came into weeks, and weeks into months, yet I was still without work. The bustling city below could be seen from my window, but it simply added to my sense of isolation and disconnection. I started to experience stress and overwhelm as the days went by. I believed that I was standing still in my life. Living in a little apartment simply made me feel more disappointed and depressed. I was stuck and unable to move forward. I wanted to give up on my goals and go home defeated and dejected.
Securing Scholarship
Determined to find a way to achieve my dream, I began researching online for scholarships that would enable me to study abroad. I spent countless hours on the internet scrolling through websites and filling out application forms. It was a long and tiring process, but I refused to give up. Finally, after weeks of searching, I stumbled upon a scholarship program that offered full tuition coverage for a master's degree program in Russia. Without hesitating, I applied for the scholarship, pouring all my heart and soul into the application. One day, while I was sitting near the window of my room, I received an email inviting me to attend an interview with the department. I was thrilled and quickly prepared myself for the interview. The interview was challenging, but I did my best to impress the committee with my knowledge of languages and my passion for intercultural communication. After the interview, I anxiously waited for a response from the committee. Finally, after weeks of waiting, I received good news. I received an email that would change my life forever. It was a letter from the scholarship committee, offering me the scholarship and inviting me to attend the master's degree program in Russia. I had been accepted for the scholarship, and the Department of Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication was looking forward to welcoming me to Moscow. However, there were still many obstacles to overcome. I had to apply for a student visa, which took several months to process. Finally, I took off for Moscow. I was thrilled to be starting my studies at HSE University.
Departure to Moscow
Overwhelmed with joy and excitement, I quickly made all the necessary preparations and set off on my journey to Russia. I was aware that adjusting to the new setting would be difficult, but I was determined to seize the moment and put in all that was required to succeed. As the plane descended towards the airport, I felt my heart racing with excitement and nerves. I had no idea what to expect, but I was full of hope and anticipation for what lay ahead. As the plane touched down on the runway, I took a deep breath and stepped off the plane, ready to start my adventure. The airport was busy with people rushing to and fro and signs in Cyrillic script everywhere. I felt a little overwhelmed, but I kept my head held high and followed the signs to the baggage claim. As I waited for my suitcase to appear, I took in my surroundings, marveling at the unfamiliar sights and sounds. I was also a little nervous about starting a new chapter in an unfamiliar place. I was lucky enough to be given a room in the university's dorms, which it had for its students. As I walked in, I was struck by the view from the window. I am thrilled to have my own space, and I immediately felt a sense of independence and freedom. The new window is wide and full of blessings, with a panoramic view of the city below. I sat by the window and watched as the sun set over the city, marveling at the beauty of the world around me. The wider window allowed me to see more of the world and feel more connected to it. It represented the expansion of my horizons, the widening of my perspective, and the realization of my dreams. However, things are not always easy for me. I struggled to balance my studies with part-time work. But whenever I felt down, I would look out of my window and remind myself how I got here. The window in my room became a symbol of hope and opportunity. Every day, I would sit by the window and watch the world go by, dreaming of all the possibilities that lay ahead. I imagined myself studying hard, making new friends, and achieving my goals. Through the window, I saw the changing seasons, the bustling city, and the world beyond my dormitory. I watched as the leaves turned red and gold in autumn, as the snow fell softly in winter, as the flowers bloomed in spring, and as the sun shone brightly in summer. But more importantly, I saw my own growth and progress. I watched as I overcame my struggles and became the person I had always wanted to be.
Get to the University
I am finally on my way to university. As I stepped onto the train, I felt a sense of relief and excitement wash over me, and I felt like I was part of the bustling rhythm of the city. As the train sped through the tunnels, I watched the passing scenery, marveling at the architecture and the people. I felt like I was on an adventure, exploring a new world and opening myself up to new experiences.
When I arrived at the university, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. I had made it to my destination, and I knew that I had what it took to thrive in this new environment. Over the coming weeks and months, I would ride the metro every day to reach the university, but I would never lose the sense of wonder and excitement that I felt on that first journey. The metro would become a symbol of my own growth and resilience, a reminder that I had the strength and determination to pursue my dreams in even the most challenging of circumstances.
Conclusion
I learned that success comes to those who never give up. I discovered that setbacks and failures were just opportunities to learn and grow and that, with hard work, anything is possible. I learned that there are many paths to achieving one's goals and that perseverance and determination can overcome any obstacle. I am proud of myself for not giving up on my dream of higher education abroad and grateful for the opportunities that Russia has offered me. With every step I took, I felt myself growing and evolving, and I knew that there was no limit to what I could achieve. I never forgot the view from the small window, however, and kept a memory of it in myself as a reminder of the challenges I had overcome. In the end, I realized that the window was not just a physical object but a symbol of the journey I had taken. It represented my hopes, dreams, struggles, and opportunities. After completing my master's degree in foreign languages and intercultural communication, I know that there will still be many more windows waiting for me to explore.
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