My Background

I grew up in Chanari, a beautiful but small town in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The opportunities were extremely numerous and so I had never believed I would be able to study abroad. I went to high school in Chanari and then moved to Muzaffarabad for my FSC at the Degree College. After that, my family relocated to Rawalpindi, where I continued my education. I completed a master’s degree.

For years, I worked at AJK University, but at some point, I felt stuck. My career wasn’t going anywhere, and I wanted more—more knowledge, more exposure, and more opportunities. I had always dreamed of studying in the United States, so in 2012, I applied for a USAID-funded scholarship to pursue a PhD. That decision completely changed my life.

The Scholarship Process

Applying for the scholarship wasn’t easy—it was a long process, but it was worth every second. The first hurdle was preparing for the standardized tests: GRE and TOEFL. For TOEFL, I scored around 110, which was a solid score back then. Preparing for these tests was intense. I lived on campus at AJK University, and for months, I did nothing but prepare. I was determined to pass everything on the first try, and thankfully, I did.

My GRE results, however, were a mixed bag. I scored 310 in Verbal, 590 in Quantitative, and 3.0 in Analytical Writing. The GRE Verbal Section is scored out of 800, and 310 was on the lower side. My 590 in Quantitative was decent but not particularly outstanding, while the 3.0 in Analytical Writing, which is scored out of 6, was below average. While these scores weren’t the highest, they were enough to get me through the application process, proving that a perfect score isn’t always necessary if the rest of your profile is strong.

The application also required a personal statement. This wasn’t just about writing something generic; it had to explain why I deserved the scholarship, what I planned to study, and how it would help my community back home. I focused on education in Azad Kashmir—how it lagged behind, what the challenges were, and how my research could address some of those issues. I also highlighted my passion for contributing to my region, which was genuine and something I believed the selection committee could see.

My advice to anyone who wants to apply abroad is to give it your all. You have to prepare extensively for your official tests, whether that’s GRE, TOFEL, IELTS, or SAT. But I believe it’s your personal statement that is where it all lies. You have to be able to make sure that your application reflects your goals and, more importantly, your passion.

After clearing the tests, interviews, and paperwork, I was selected. The scholarship applied for me, so I only had to apply for the scholarship. It covered everything—visa, airfare, tuition, accommodation, and even a monthly stipend. From the moment I got selected, I didn’t have to spend a single penny out of my pocket.

Settling into the U.S.

Before starting classes, we spent a month in Washington, D.C., for an orientation program. This was one of the best parts of the experience because it helped us adjust to American life. We were given language training, explored the city, and had time to socialize. There were 26 of us from Pakistan, all part of the same scholarship, so we became a tight-knit group during that month.

From D.C., I moved to Long Island, New York, to start my PhD at Dowling College. Adjusting to life in the U.S. was not as easy as I had initially thought. The culture shock was immense, and the language barrier made things harder. Even though I spoke English, the way people talked socially was so different that I sometimes struggled to understand them. Back home, I had a big social circle and was used to hanging out every day, but in the U.S., I felt isolated at first. Something I believe a lot of international students struggle with.

It took time, but I decided not to let the challenges stop me. I pushed myself to make friends, even if it felt awkward. Eventually, I built connections with undergraduates, graduates, and fellow PhD students. Slowly, life got easier.

If you’re lucky enough to get a fully funded scholarship, use all the resources it offers. The orientation program, cultural training, and financial support made my transition much smoother.

My PhD Journey

The support I received at Dowling College was incredible. My professors weren’t just mentors; they treated me like family. Some even invited me to their homes to discuss my research over coffee. That kind of hands-on guidance made a huge difference in my academic journey.

However, my time at Dowling College wasn’t without challenges. During my final year, the college faced financial troubles and ended up merging with Long Island University. It was a stressful time, but I managed to complete my PhD on schedule, defending my thesis in August 2016.

Life after the PHD

After completing my PhD in 2016, I returned to Azad Jammu and Kashmir and resumed working at AJK University for two years. But I realized the only thing I wanted was to go back to the USA.

In 2018, I made the leap to the tech industry and joined Microsoft as a software engineer. It was a significant shift, but one that aligned perfectly with my interests. Working at Microsoft has been an exciting and fulfilling experience. It has been a challenging but rewarding experience. The field is fast-paced and constantly evolving, and it keeps me on my toes. One of the things I enjoy most is the problem-solving aspect—every day brings something new to tackle, and it’s far from boring.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Opportunities are out there, but you have to work for them. They won’t come to you, and they certainly hadn’t come to me when I was loitering away at my job in the AJK. You have to actively search for them and work for them. And when they come, embrace them with everything you’ve got.