Jada Marie Knight’s Post

Establishing strong ties to your home country is crucial when applying for admission abroad and facing an embassy interview. It demonstrates your intention to return after completing your studies or temporary stay. While not having a family or property in your home country might present a challenge, there are still ways to showcase your deep connection and commitment to your homeland. 1. Emphasize your educational and career goals aligned with your home country's needs: - Highlight your academic achievements and career aspirations that align with the current and future needs of your home country. - Demonstrate your understanding of the specific skills and knowledge you aim to acquire abroad that will contribute to your country's development upon your return. - Provide evidence of your involvement in extracurricular activities, internships, or volunteer work related to addressing challenges or opportunities in your home country. 2. Showcase your community involvement and social connections: - Emphasize your active participation in community organizations, clubs, or social groups in your home country. - Provide letters of support from community leaders, mentors, or organizations attesting to your involvement and contributions. - Share photos or testimonials that demonstrate your engagement with local communities and initiatives. 3. Demonstrate financial ties and responsibilities: - Provide documentation of any financial assets or investments you hold in your home country, such as bank statements, property ownership records, or investment portfolios. - If you have dependents, provide evidence of your financial support, such as school fees, medical bills, or living expenses. - Explain your plans for managing your finances and maintaining your responsibilities in your home country while abroad. 4. Express your personal and cultural ties: - Share your personal stories, experiences, and aspirations that demonstrate your deep connection to your home country's culture, traditions, and values. - Highlight your fluency in your native language and your involvement in preserving or promoting your home country's cultural heritage. - Express your desire to return to your home country and contribute to its growth and development upon your return. Remember, authenticity and genuine enthusiasm for your home country are key to convincing the embassy officials of your strong ties. Practice your responses, be prepared to elaborate on your examples, and maintain a positive and confident demeanor throughout the interview process. #embassy #familyties #scholarships #phdresearch #phdscholarship #scholarshipopportunities #ukrecruitment #canadaimmigration

My Journey from Umerkot to Italy - Boston Part: 3 Initially, I believed I was the only one grappling with these challenges. However, as I connected and talked to other students, I realized it was not just me. Every other student, alone in a foreign land, was struggling.  The nature and amount of problems varied from individual to individual based on their financial or social status or overall personality types, but the major challenges were the same.  🔹 For example, individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, like myself—an introvert by nature—with strong cultural ties or from joint families, often face double the challenges compared to those who have higher financial status or are more adaptable and less family-oriented. Being a psychology student and aspiring cross-cultural counselor, I struggled to understand why nobody acknowledged these issues. Through research and interviews conducted for a class project, I discovered that this reluctance stemmed from the stigma associated with mental health. People were hesitant to appear vulnerable to others or to inform their friends and family back home that their perceived reality was different. 🔹The most shocking discovery was that many challenges badly impact immigrants' mental health, yet many don't seek any support for it. Specifically, according to research, Asian students don't seek help due to strong cultural stereotypes. But I strongly believe, and I would even request to all immigrant students or workers reading this post, that there is no harm in talking about the problems you face as immigrants because it is reality, and there is no harm in seeking mental health support available at your university or elsewhere. Mental health is as important as physical health. ◽ Be Ready to Face the Challenges  To prospective students, life abroad is not what you see on social media. The overall quality of life may be much better than in your home country, but it's still not perfect. You will have to face your fair share of problems as soon as you arrive in a new land. So be ready for that. ◽ Lessons and Growth from My Journey Abroad However, there is no doubt that this journey taught me a lot. I was able to grow and develop in ways that I never thought were possible. I learned new skills, adapted to unfamiliar environments, and gained a deeper understanding of the world and the people around me. I am grateful for every experience that has brought me to where I am today. At the same time, I feel no shame in accepting that life abroad is not as easy as it is portrayed on social media. Why I shared my story By sharing my story, I hope to shed light on the realities of studying abroad and encourage others to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with it. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it. Follow me for more tips on living abroad if you're a prospective student. #studyabroad #studentlife #internationalstudent #challengs #lifestruggle #mentalhealth #support

My Journey from Umerkot to Italy - Boston Part: 2 The reality was different from what I had been imagining. After landing in Italy, I felt like I was in a new world where I didn't know anyone. I had lived with my parents and extended family in Pakistan, so it was shocking to imagine living in a foreign country all alone. It was especially tough for me because, where I'm from, girls typically don't go out much. I spent most of my time confined within the walls of our house. After a week, my illusion of having an easy life here shattered, and I started accepting things like every international student. However, Just like every other international student, I had my fair share of struggles in the beginning. Here are some of the extra challenges I encountered : Communication and Confidence Challenges ↳ I realized that if you belong to a low SES and disadvantaged background, you have to face double challenges. I had never been to many places in Pakistan, so the lack of social experience resulted in a lack of communication skills, shyness, and feelings of uncertainty about how to interact with others. It was another level of anxiety that I went through. Administrative Problems And then came the extra paperwork and legal hassles, making everything feel even more overwhelming. ↳ For example, even though I applied on time, I didn't receive my residency until a year later, and when I finally received it, it expired within a week, forcing me to start the process all over again. The routine of going to the immigration office two or three times a day, standing in line from 5 am until it closed, every day was exhausting. They often made excuses and asked for additional documents, regardless of the fact that I was a student at the University of Padua. Housing and Language: Double Struggles ↳ Similarly, finding housing proved to be a challenge; it took me over a year to find the right place. However, being on a scholarship meant relocating every 3 or 4 months, adding another layer of complexity. ↳ Moreover, grappling with the Italian language intensified these challenges. Language barriers often led to misunderstandings, resulting in booking the wrong tickets, fines, and countless stressful events. Next up in Part 3, I'll share more challenges I discovered through conversations with fellow students and research. Plus, I'll also address the question you might be wondering about why does sharing this story matter? Why didn't I get admission despite a good CGPA? 'Most universities in Italy and Germany have 2-3 admission rounds. Many people like me apply in the second round, but applying in the first round increases your chances of selection. When it comes to the visa process, I made the mistake of waiting for final confirmation before booking a visa appointment. It's better to book the visa as soon as you receive the initial offer to avoid delays.

Before I landed my dream job at Visa in Nov' 22, just a month ago I had thought I would be jobless & homeless in a new country. I kept trying anyway! Before I got accepted to my dream school Duke University in October 2021, I was told by a study abroad consultant that top tier schools were out of my reach. I never went back to them again & applied to all schools of my choice all on my own! Before I got to 40K+ followers on LinkedIn, multiple people had told me to my face that my posts are too long & a tad bit boring. I kept writing the long posts anyway, thinking at least a few will find value in them! Before I got accepted to Harvard Business School for the Executive program, I had considered not even applying because the program requisites looked too tough. I spoke to my professors, close ones & decided to apply anyway! Before I got invited to conduct a workshop for grad students at Duke University, I was ghosted by other organizations who had reached out to me for the same purpose. I kept an open mind towards new opportunities anyway! My point here is very simple, but can be hard to remember especially when you're in the eye of the storm. Sometimes people will get in your way, drag you down, tell you that there's no way you will make it, and yet other times, you will think so to yourself, doubting your own abilities, not even trying and giving up too soon. A lot of the times that you will make it, there will have been a hundred times that you almost didn't, but did because you kept pushing against all odds. A lot of times in life, when we are aiming for something big we have never had, we just have to remember this : that most of what's happening to us, with us, around us is just noise, and we just have to learn to silence it so we can get to the next amazing phase of our lives! Don't give up too soon, and don't let the world's negativity or at times your own, deter you from the path you are meant to walk! Keep going, and I promise you, you will make it. In picture: Me from my first day at Visa a year ago in February 2023. ✨ P.S. If this post resonates with you, follow along at Shreya Mishra, as I share much more from my academic & corporate life in the U.S. #internationalstudents #linkedin #gradschool #students #jobhunting

“How can I permanently move to another country?” This is a question I’m often asked (I was born in the UK 🇬🇧 but live in Switzerland🇨🇭 ). 1. Start early. Learn a foreign language, visit your pen pal, do a foreign exchange, choose a university where you can study abroad for a year, then actually do it, make friends - often some of them will live abroad or have family abroad - so… 2. Be interested in others. Perhaps your thesis supervisor has five former students who are now professors abroad, perhaps their husband worked abroad for many years. Maybe your Dad’s friend’s daughter just started a job abroad. If you express your interest in others living abroad people will respond to that and want to help you. Thes first two… 3. All help with growing your network. The bigger it is, the more likely it will contain connections abroad. The same is true for yourself, the harder you work, the more you can grow, so… 4. Work hard at the things that excite you. It could be your sports club as a teenager, where your hard work earns you a place at a tournament abroad, where your interest in others earns you the friendship of a coach in that country who later suggests you apply for a scholarship at a university there. It could be your master’s thesis, where your professor heartily recommends you for a PhD position or job abroad with one of their own former students! At some point one of the obstacles to living abroad will be an uncomfortable conversation. So… 5. Don’t be afraid to ask. If you don’t have anyone in your network you can talk to about moving abroad, don’t be afraid to email people you admire in other countries. Perhaps someone you gave a talk at your university once. You can start by emailing them to show you’re familiar with the work and ask them an interesting question about it. Once a connection has been established the conversation can turn towards the country they live in. I hope these tips are helpful! Please ask questions in the comments if something isn’t clear :)

Pictured: Yesterday, I was invited to present Culture Travels magazine and our plans for launching a Study Abroad Scholarship program for high school and college students to the St. Phillips College Student Advisory Committee, an HBCU in San Antonio. Thank you to Dr. Angela McPherson Williams Not Pictured: On this same day, I was asked to speak to a college student I worked with when he was in high school. He's moving to Milan, Italy, for a semester, where he'll also work for a corporation in government affairs. After researching the current political climate in Italy and the company leadedship, he became concerned about racism and navigating company politics. We had a great conversation. In the end, I left Tim with three tips: 1. Embrace the unknown of living abroad. You'll find your way just like you did when you graduated high school and had to embrace the unknown of a new world in college. The unknown is where you grow. 2. Culture shock is coming. Remember the Tim you were—brave, excited, determined—when you chose to accept the opportunity. Culture shock, while temporary, will compel you to forget that person and take the next flight back home. Don't do that. Work through it. 3. Find something that brings you joy in your new home. If it's a trip to McDonald's—something familiar—go there. If it's taking a walk with friends, do it. Maybe you like museums, explore them. Or FaceTime your family back home. That helps. Do something that brings you joy. It helps with navigating the unknown and overcoming culture shock. Why am I choosing to offer Study Abroad Scholarships through Culture Travels? I remember what it felt like to work three jobs to cover my expenses for my study-abroad trip to Taiwan. The experience changed my life in ways I'm still discovering today. It ultimately led to a job with the Peace Corps in Ethiopia, a teaching job in China, starting my first company in China, and a decades-long life of international travel. Taiwan taught me one simple truth: I could live abroad. I can do this. I want more students like Tim to experience that feeling. The joy of overcoming your discomfort so you can explore the lively night markets in Taipei. The anguish you feel when you're experiencing culture shock while surrounded by a sea of Chinese people as you wait for the bus to work. The triumph you smile at when you realize you made it through the culture shock and a visit to McDonald's—something familiar—was all you needed. The pride you feel when you return home with endless stories to share and ideas on improving your community. The big one: The wave of confusion that mellows out to cultural understanding as you experience Blackness through the lens of people who share your complexion but not your American identity. In 2025, I look forward to supporting more students like Tim with financial resources to help them explore the world and gain life-changing career skills and relationships - becaus they matter - along the way.

My mom always says, "It's not about moving forward, but rather moving." This has been a profound lesson throughout my career journey. At times, it might feel like we're taking steps back or sideways, and progress seems slow. Yet, these moments are integral to our growth. When I graduated law school at the top of my class, I was convinced the UN was about to roll out the red carpet for me. After 30-some applications and a whole lot of crickets, I faced a choice: dive into a master’s degree or switch gears. Cue the plot twist—I went back to school for international affairs! My decision puzzled my family. Instead of landing a legal job, I was back in the classroom, chasing internships, and battling self-doubt.  Yet, with maturity came new opportunities. I networked diligently, volunteered passionately, and built meaningful connections. Landing my first UN internship was a leap of faith. Unpaid and uncertain, it seemed risky, especially when I had a paid role with the Political Section of the British Embassy in Brazil. But I took the plunge. Today, I find myself as a humanitarian with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, working #WithRefugees, navigating complex crises of forced displacement from war to insurgency. It’s a path I never envisioned, but it's a testament to trusting the process. Even when progress feels invisible, every step is part of the journey. Remember, sometimes the most unexpected paths lead us exactly where we need to be. 🚀 Anyone else here with a career story that took an unexpected turn? Share your journey! *Bonus photo of the Serra do Rio do Rastro (literal translation: Mountain Range of the Trail River) and the SC-390, Brazil’s amazing landscape of a sinuous road that perfectly represents the twists and turns of an actual career path. #HumanitariansAtWork #CareerJourney #UnexpectedPaths #Networking #KeepMoving #TrustTheProcess

Why are we traveling to Brazil? At that, why Salvador? A few reasons this place is near and dear to my heart: 1) I studied abroad here in 2009, and found parts of my identity that I didn't know were even missing. *Storytime: I was in my 3rd year of college at UC Santa Cruz, double-majoring in Global Economics and Language Studies. For BOTH majors, a requirement for graduation was to study abroad, which is why I chose that path. I was fluent in French, but EAP Education Abroad Program would NOTA accept me due to my compromised GPA- a 3.2 after working 2-3 part time jobs to pay for school. I started looking into the study abroad program for Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, which was a language and Afro-Brazilian program after a colleague @Edwina shared about her own study abroad experience, lending me some @pimsleur MP3s to study while we were in an internship program in Washington DC (yes, I do a lot now and I did a LOT back then). I was accepted and immediately fell in love with Salvador. Little did I realize it was referred to as Black Rome due to its high Afro-descendant population (upwards of 90%) and felt an immediate affinity to the city, the people and the experiences. Pictured here in Pelourinho, one of the main cultural and historic centers of the city my first week in Salvador. 2) After living here for study abroad and coming back every few years, @Ethnic Ties is ready to resume our group travel, which we last facilitated in 2016. 3) Post-pandemic, we are focused on leveraging tourism as a tool of community and economic solidarity with our global diaspora family, so we are intentional about what type of travel we support. ***Trivia moment: anyone know why the neighborhood is named "Pelourinho" ?

This week’s blog dives into practical tips for making friends and building a strong network while studying abroad. Discover how to connect with others, embrace new cultures, and create lasting relationships that will enhance your international experience. https://lnkd.in/eCv5mrKy

🌍 after 20 years living abroad and calling two countries #HOME, I certainly agree that global perspectives for a global economy are not shaped by staying home. ✈️ While these experiences are not always available to all - we all have access to global citizens living abroad, so reach out and talk to us. Happy to share :-) #expandinghorizons #globalcitizenship #internationalbusiness #Perspectives #growthmindset