Fulbright Scholar Ayesha Muhammad from Pakistan Shares Her Journey of Pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Washington

My name is Ayesha Muhammad and I’m from Karachi, Pakistan. I completed my Masters in Social Work, majoring in Community Centered Integrative Practice from the University of Washington. I have been interested in working for the betterment of human beings since my A levels, and my undergraduate and work experience shaped me such that I believed Social Work will equip me with the skills needed to do so.

Fulbright Scholarship Details

I am a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship. It was a fully paid scholarship, including my flight to and from the US, health insurance, tuition and a monthly stipend to pay for my rent and expenses.

Educational Background

My undergraduate was from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi and my degree was in Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, Psychology Major. After my undergrad I worked clinically in Mental Health, before moving to a Public Health NGO. I think my degree gave me the interdisciplinary lens to understand how macro, micro and mezzo systems work in tandem and my work experience in public health guided me towards a degree in which I could make greater impact in the positions I worked in

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Washington?

How Did You Find Information About Fulbright Scholarships and the University of Washington?

I have a lot of teachers and seniors in IBA who are a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship so I already knew about it.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

Yes I gave the GRE, I took classes for that. After being selected I gave the TOEFL and I prepared for that myself.

How is (was) Your Experience at the University of Washington?

It was an amazing experience, super inclusive, I felt people in my program really wanted to hear about Pakistan and understand my perspective in life.

How Does the University of Washington Support International Students?

Yes, they offer scholarships to International Students directly as well and have societies and communities to support International Students

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

My work experience aligned really well with the degree I was applying for, and I didn’t overthink my personal statements, I wrote them from the heart.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Nothing!

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Prepare in advance, don’t panic, proof read EVERYTHING and have 2-3 other proofreaders for you. Most importantly be honest about your goals, ambitions and learning objectives. Most placements want to see a personality along with the qualifications we bring. Be yourself.