How a Pakistani Engineer Received the Fully Funded Commonwealth and Fulbright Scholarships to Pursue Graduate Studies in Water and Biosystems Engineering in the UK and the USA

Hello readers! I'm Hadiqa Maqsood, a water resources engineer from Pakistan currently living in Germany. I'm excited to share my story of studying on two prestigious scholarships: the Commonwealth Scholarship in the UK to study Master of Science in Water and Environmental Engineering at the University of Brighton and the Fulbright Scholarship in the USA to study Ph.D. in Biosystem Engineering at the University of Arizona.

Scholarship Journey

During college, I started researching studying abroad opportunities. I began by exploring university websites, looking at their programs, departments, faculty, galleries, tuition fees, and funding options. This soon became my hobby! Studying abroad was a topic my friends and I would discuss during lunch breaks. We shared our research and emailed professors from various universities. Although I only received a 5% response rate, it was more of a side hustle and curiosity game, so I didn't get discouraged. This research as a young mind gave me a better perspective on how universities differ from one country to another. I also registered for multiple scholarship websites that sent me monthly newsletters, which helped me discover more scholarships from various countries. During all this, I made sure I was documenting all this information, and I recommend everyone do the same. It became my data hub for making sound decisions later on.

As soon as I finished my undergraduate studies, I started applying for master's programs. I began preparing for the TOEFL and GREs. While I struggled with the GRE, I managed to find the determination to overcome it. Group studies, flashcards, and finding ways to make studying fun helped me. In the following year, I took both exams and applied to countries including Turkey, Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada, and more. My research showed that sustainability and environmental engineering were preferred disciplines for scholarships, as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) has been big in demand. And so I focused on strengthening my profile in those areas. I used Coursera to fill gaps in my technical knowledge and added that to my application. I also worked on publishing my undergraduate research in journals, presented my work at a couple of conferences, and continued with event organization which added another bonus to my profile. I noticed that every scholarship application required some sort of essay writing, so I drafted my essays and had them revised by my professors. It was a great learning curve.

I started facing many rejections as the results came in and that’s when I had to show the most dedication. Every rejection made me improve my application for the next one, and eventually, I won the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship to study for a master's degree in the UK. That's when I realized that all my efforts were worthwhile. In the UK, I fully immersed myself in student life, university events, and the experience of studying abroad. If I were to do it differently today, I would focus more on networking and understanding work culture. I should have asked more questions when I was unsure. Many students only stick to their classes and return to their dorms, but studying abroad is so much more than coursework. Fun events, seminars, making friends from different countries, enjoying diverse food, watching movies, and experiencing the local culture are some examples of what can make your journey richer and happier. Having a scholarship also alleviates financial stress, which can otherwise negatively impact your studies as you try to adapt to a new environment.

Right after completing my master's, I started applying for PhD programs while working full-time. I applied for the Fulbright Scholarship, which is known to have a success rate of only 3 to 5% in Pakistan. My previous scholarship experience helped me greatly, and I embarked on another significant chapter when I won the Fulbright Scholarship.

This chapter not only helped me grow academically but also as a person. These milestones were a ladder to my professional and personal growth. I always advise my students to start preparing for applications at least a year before they plan to leave. Continuously add to your profile, not just with grades but also publications, extracurricular activities, additional certifications, online portfolios, courses from various free online sources, and some introductory knowledge about coding. The list can go on.

It requires time, effort, and energy. Winning two big scholarships did not happen overnight for me. I used to spend days and nights understanding the education system. With discipline in your schedule and determination in your goals, it can be enjoyable and achievable.

What advice would you give to those looking to apply for a similar scholarship?

My advice to all students reading this is to enjoy the application stage and have friends who also would want the same in their lives, as having a partner works wonders. Seek help from alumni, get a mentor, get consulting for your case, join social media channels that have similar content, and utilize free online resources to share your experiences. After having my share of this amazing experience, I'm starting an entrepreneurial journey with my YouTube channel where I share my study abroad experiences to make the information accessible to as many students as possible!