©UNHCR/Winnie Kakuba20I entered SILS to gain a qualification that is internationally recognized, with an objective to become a UN official. Prior to SILS I was a high school and baking school graduate who juggled multiple jobs. Through wide range of possibilities offered by SILS, I was able to develop the essential skills needed in my career – communication, organization, time management, teamwork, logical and analytical thinking, leadership, and problem-solving. As of 2023, I work in Slovakia as Associate Protection Officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), helping Ukrainian refugees. My message to SILS applicants and students is: “Find your dream, but do not keep on dreaming and make the dream an objective and define concrete steps forward.”What did I gain at SILS? Perspective! SILS is a great place to explore and learn about yourself. Alumni are scattered across all imaginable disciplines. You all start at the same place, but SILS gives you flexibility to let your interests unfold and the support to pursue a specific direction within your studies once you are ready. When I started at SILS I was curious about everything: history, art, psychology, literature, but soon I realized that I wanted to pursue studies within the political sciences. After graduating from SILS I got a Master’s degree at the LSE before joining McKinsey as a consultant. I still love to explore, which is why I work on projects across industries reaching from public sector projects to the fashion industry.SHINDO-BRAATEN, Mio Class of 2011 The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)YO, Marilena Class of 2016 McKinsey & Company, Inc.QURESHI, Amin Class of 2017 Harvard University, Harvard Divinity SchoolWhat was especially valuable for me from my time at SILS was not necessarily the content of the lectures, but the people I met. A professor went above and beyond to encourage me and make my study abroad in Pakistan a reality. She also supported me to get into one of Waseda’s graduate schools for a master’s before helping me again to get into Harvard for another master’s a few years later. I also recall a moment in a class on religion when a Japanese student asked for my insights because of my Pakistani or Muslim roots. It was a moment that made me realize that my foreignness could be an asset. I also cannot thank enough the friend, also a "hafu" between Pakistan and Japan, that cleared my misconception of Muslims.These experiences have allowed me to think and rethink my identity. This then eventually led me to becoming active in the community. I began building Muslim networks and sharing my thoughts through talks and media appearances. I am now thinking of establishing a Muslim network at Harvard too. Equipped with an understanding of Muslims I gained while at Waseda’s graduate school, an understanding I will gain of religion, theology, and philosophy while at Harvard, and the traditional understanding of Islam I plan to gain after leaving the US, I hope to turn my activism in Japan into a career in an impactful and meaningful way.I enrolled in SILS to open my gateway to becoming a United Nations official.It is important to believe in your own potential and not to give up on your dreams.Graduates of SILS who have studied habits of mind and foundational concepts through various disciplines are currently active in many different industries and fields.Encounters with teachers and friends were the catalyst for thinking deeply about identity. I continue activities and research for the community and society.From AlumniFrom AlumniFrom Alumni
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