Graduate Study in the USA Scholarship - 2024 Finalists

These candidates stood out from hundreds of applicants as exceptional examples of emerging, globally-minded leaders who are set to pursue their graduate degrees in the US.

Listed in alphabetical order by surname, they represent the qualities of future international change-makers.

Tofunmi Adesanya

Nigeria

Pursuing a Master's degree in Healthcare Management at the University of New Orleans

Tofunmi is a medical laboratory scientist who wants to combine global best practices with local insights in Nigeria's healthcare context. Her goal is to enhance the effectiveness of healthcare systems while amplifying her impact as the founder of the non-governmental charity organization.

Tofunmi's Background

Tofunmi has over four years of experience in the medical field as a medical laboratory scientist. Since her undergraduate year, she has participated in multiple outreach programs providing healthcare and resources to underprivileged populations across numerous states in Nigeria. Many of the facilities she worked at were poorly managed, resulting in deficits in patient care, deeply troubling her. These experiences taught her that an organization or system is only as good as its leadership. On top of that, Tofunmi founded FlourisHer Foundation, which aims to address period poverty and food insecurity among vulnerable groups in Nigeria.

How Tofunmi chose her country of study

Tofunmi chose the US as her study destination during a university fair hosted by TGM Education in Nigeria. After engaging with university representatives from various countries, she decided to select the US because of its culturally diverse population and high standards of healthcare education. She believes that exposure to such an environment would be invaluable for her future leadership roles.

How Tofunmi plans to become a globally minded leader

Tofunmi plans to become a globally minded leader by actively participating in international healthcare seminars, collaborating with peers from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, and engaging in community-based initiatives within the US that address healthcare inequities. Through these experiences, he aims to develop a culturally aware and innovative approach to healthcare management that can be applied in global contexts.

Huiyee Chiew

Malaysia

Pursuing a Master's degree at Columbia Journalism School

Huiyee is an award-winning journalist. Having been worked as a journalist for years before continuing her master's, Huiyee specializes in investigative reporting.

Huiyee's background

Born and raised in Malaysia, she later studied and worked in Taipei, Taiwan. With six years of professional experience and a diverse cultural background, her work focuses on human rights and social justice issues across Asia, including undocumented workers in Taiwan, the presidential election in the Philippines, stateless communities in Malaysia, and journalists reporting during a coup in Myanmar. Her reporting was recognized by the Human Rights Press Awards and the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA).

How Huiyee chose her country of study

Studying at Columbia Journalism School (CJS) in New York City has always been her dream. CJS provides comprehensive training that helps her develop versatile skills needed to tell stories across different media platforms. With a specialization in investigative reporting, she hopes to cover critical global issues that contribute to a more informed society. Moreover, studying in New York City also provides her with opportunities to learn from the experiences and insights of many unique and seasoned journalists, helping her to grow professionally.

How Huiyee plans to become a globally minded leader

She believes that a globally minded leader should present the accuracy and complexities behind every issue—always providing context, background, culture, and diverse perspectives. As a journalist covering global and local stories, she sees it as her role and responsibility to tell more nuanced and comprehensive stories--especially in a world with polarized opinions and growing distrust in the news—that help the public understand global issues while avoiding oversimplified narratives that may favor one side.

Her training as an investigative journalist has prepared her to remain open to diverse viewpoints and listen actively, helping her tell accurate and complex stories that serve the public interest. She believes these are essential qualities for both a journalist and a global leader.

Javad Gholampour

Afghanistan

Pursuing a Master's program in Cancer Sciences at the University at Buffalo

Javad is a nursing graduate with a deep interest in cancer biology, motivated by the potential to contribute to advancements in cancer treatments. His passion for research and patient care drives him to explore new therapeutic approaches that could improve patient outcomes and change lives.

Javad's background

Cancer biology stands out as Javad's primary area of interest. His fascination with this field began during his collaboration with research teams at the hospital, where he engaged in innovative cancer treatment research. His role gave firsthand insight into the urgent need for new cancer treatments. The potential of such discoveries to save lives worldwide is highly motivating. He firmly believes that advancements in cancer treatments could have a transformative impact on the world.

How Javad chose his country of study

Javad chose to pursue further education in the US due to its exceptional reputation for medical education and its innovative approach to addressing global health challenges. He values US programs' unique combination of advanced research, hands-on fieldwork, and progressive healthcare perspectives. This aligns closely with his goal to acquire advanced knowledge to tackle pressing health issues, not only in Afghanistan but also on a global scale.

How Javad plans to become a globally minded leader

To become a globally-minded leader, Javad is committed to combining his educational foundation with a dedication to cross-cultural collaboration. He aims to comprehensively understand diverse healthcare systems and approaches by working alongside professionals from various countries. His long-term vision is to empower healthcare workers in Afghanistan by sharing best practices from around the world and establishing partnerships to address healthcare disparities.

Rulinda Kwizera

Rwanda

Pursuing a Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery at Harvard University

Rulinda is a clinical psychologist from Rwanda. He is particularly interested in and dedicated to mental health, particularly in trauma recovery, advocacy, and research.

Rulinda's background

He worked as a Clinical Psychology intern and ended up serving over thirty thousand people across the country. Through hands-on experience, he developed insight into strengthening and coordinating the planning and implementation of mental health interventions, promoting awareness, and coordinating healing sessions. He has established over thirty mental health clubs in educational institutions. Rulinda has also cofounded his own company, Mindora-Rwanda, which tries to use technology to reach and help young people by offering them mental health care with the power of AI.

How Rulinda chose his country of study

Pursuing graduate studies in Harvard Medical School's Global Health Delivery program in the US represents a crucial step toward fulfilling Rulinda's mission. The US stands as a global center for innovation and advanced research, particularly in mental health. The abundance of knowledge, resources, and diverse perspectives at Harvard will empower them to address the complex mental health challenges facing vulnerable communities in Rwanda and beyond. Studying in the US will equip Rulinda with the advanced skills needed to return home and drive lasting change for those in need.

How Rulinda plans to become a globally minded leader

Rulinda has always believed that authentic leadership is rooted in empathy, resilience, and a profound understanding of the human condition. His work with those who experience hardship has underscored the power of empathy and the importance of giving a voice to the marginalized. He plans to deepen their research on intergenerational trauma through his graduate studies and establish global partnerships prioritizing equitable mental health care. He is committed to using his education to advocate for policies and systems that offer real solutions.

Nanako Tojo

Japan

Pursuing an MA in Higher Education Administration with a focus on Social Justice

With this degree, she aims to create diverse, equitable, and inclusive campuses where all students can realize their full potential.

Nanako's background

Since childhood, Nanako has sought a place to be herself entirely. In search of a safe space, she joined over 15 international leadership programs during her undergraduate years and the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA). These environments allowed her to openly share her experiences and vulnerabilities, ultimately inspiring her dedication to youth empowerment in her professional and community roles. She has worked with university students to foster an inclusive study and research environment, led the "Rise Up!" project at YWCA and assisted school students in building confidence, authentic leadership, and a gender-equal perspective.

How Nanako chose her country of study

The focus on DEI trends in the US and the unique opportunities at George Washington University drew her to study in Washington, DC. US higher education institutions have actively pursued DEI strategies despite facing difficult decisions amid growing backlash. She is eager to gain expertise in managing and financing DEI projects, even in challenging times. Among similar programs, the Master's program at George Washington University stood out due to its focus on social justice, rich internship opportunities in the US capital, and the diversity within its community. She believes this program will equip her with the academic knowledge, practical skills, and network needed to drive transformative changes in higher education.

How Nanako plans to become a globally minded leader

Upon graduation, she aspires to lead innovation that realizes DEI goals within her university and community. Her overarching vision is to create a welcoming campus environment for everyone, regardless of intersecting identities such as gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and more. She is eager to lead transformative DEI projects and expand the "Rise Up!" initiative to empower more young women. Through leveraging the international networks she plans to build during her Master's program, she hopes to broaden the horizons of participants worldwide.

Are you inspired by these amazing finalists?

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