I come from Lagos, Nigeria, and my journey as a foreign student in the United States began in January 2025. One of the first things I noticed was how different everyday life felt—simple things like navigating a new city, grocery shopping, or even managing my schedule required adjustment. I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed at first, especially since I have no family here to lean on. Learning to be independent and take care of myself has been one of the biggest lessons of this journey. As a computer science student, my goal is to bridge the gap between agriculture and technology, inspired by my childhood experiences on my grandmother’s farm. I witnessed how manual labor was often inefficient, leading to food waste and lower production. This motivated me to use technology to improve farming methods and help communities like mine back home. One of the biggest challenges I have faced is the financial burden of studying abroad. Tuition fees in U.S. dollars are expensive, especially when my family’s income is in Nigerian naira. Paying for admissions tests, study materials, and application fees adds more stress to an already tight budget. Being far from home, without family support in the U.S., made adjusting to self-dependence difficult. I have learned to manage my resources carefully, balancing schoolwork with part-time work, but the financial pressure sometimes feels overwhelming. Still, I stay motivated by remembering the reasons I came here and the dreams I want to achieve. My family has been a constant source of encouragement throughout this journey. They believe in me and push me to reach for my goals, even when times are tough. Their support reminds me that I am not alone and strengthens my resolve. Through this experience, I have learned a lot about myself—especially that determination and hard work can help me overcome many obstacles. I have grown more confident and resilient, ready to face the challenges that come with being a foreign student and pursuing a demanding degree. Living in the U.S. has also taught me a lot about different cultures and perspectives. It has opened my eyes to new opportunities and challenges immigrants face. I appreciate the support systems here but also understand the importance of building my own independence. This journey has deepened my commitment to making a difference, not only in my academic field but also in the communities I belong to. Receiving this scholarship would greatly reduce the financial stress I face, allowing me to concentrate fully on my studies without the constant worry about tuition and fees. It would give me the freedom to focus on developing my skills and reaching my goal of becoming a software engineer specializing in agricultural technology. I want to create tools that help farmers increase productivity and reduce waste, improving food security in Nigeria and beyond. In the future, I plan to give back by mentoring other students from similar backgrounds who want to pursue STEM careers abroad. I hope to create opportunities and provide guidance to help them overcome challenges just like I have. My vision is to build a community of learners and innovators who use technology to make a positive impact in agriculture and other fields. This scholarship would be more than financial assistance—it would be an investment in my potential and my dreams. I am grateful for the chance to share my story and excited about the possibilities ahead.

Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, I didn’t always see myself in STEM. But I was always curious. I spent many days on my grandmother’s farm, watching her do everything by hand — planting, watering, harvesting. Even as a young girl, I could see how hard she worked, and how much food we lost due to inefficiencies. That experience planted a seed in me — one that grew into a desire to merge agriculture with technology. Today, I’m studying computer science with the goal of becoming a software engineer focused on agricultural innovation. As a STEM student from a low-income background, the road hasn’t been easy. My family relies on one source of income, and I am the eldest daughter in a household with many siblings. The decision to study abroad came with hope, but also with a heavy financial burden. Converting Nigerian naira to U.S. dollars for tuition and living expenses is extremely difficult. And now, as I begin to prepare for future professional opportunities, I face even more financial hurdles — standardized test fees, application costs, and the price of essential study materials. Every time I look into applying for an internship or fellowship that could push me closer to my career goals, I have to pause and ask myself: “Can I afford this?” Sometimes, the answer is no. And even when I do apply, the stress of worrying about how to pay for the next requirement lingers in the background. It’s not just about ambition — it’s about survival. This scholarship would lift a major weight off my shoulders. It would allow me to focus on studying and building real-world skills, instead of constantly worrying about how to pay for exam prep or afford a new textbook. More importantly, it would give me the chance to apply to the programs that align with my dreams — not just the ones I can afford. I’m committed to my path, and support like this would give me the freedom to chase opportunities that could truly change my life. In the future, I hope to create accessible tech solutions for small-scale farmers across Africa — starting with Nigeria. I want to build systems that use real-time data to reduce waste, improve crop yields, and make farming more sustainable. But beyond that, I also want to help students like me who are just starting out. I’ve already taken the first steps by volunteering as a data analyst at Apple Prints Nigeria Limited, where I helped clean and visualize agricultural data. It confirmed for me that this work is both important and possible. One of my core beliefs is that nothing is truly too hard — it’s just competitive. And sometimes, the only thing separating you from your goal is access. If I’m fortunate enough to receive this scholarship, I won’t take it lightly. It would represent more than just financial relief — it would be a reminder that people believe in students like me. That we matter. That our ideas are worth investing in. In return, I hope to be that support for others someday — especially young girls in Nigeria who are curious about STEM but unsure if they belong. I want to tell them that they do. That it’s okay to dream big, even if the odds seem stacked against you. Because sometimes, all it takes is one “yes” to change everything.

I’m originally from Lagos, Nigeria, and I come from a large family with one source of income. As the first daughter, I’ve always felt a strong sense of responsibility—not just to succeed, but to create opportunities for my siblings and others like us. Growing up, things weren’t easy, especially when it came to money. Now that I’m studying in the U.S., the exchange rate between the Nigerian Naira and the U.S. dollar makes paying tuition incredibly difficult for my family. That’s why this scholarship would mean so much to me—it would help lift a big weight off our shoulders. But beyond financial need, I also have a deep sense of purpose for why I’m here. I chose to study computer science because of something very personal. As a little girl, I spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s farm in Nigeria. I remember watching her work so hard every single day—planting, harvesting, and trying to keep everything running. But no matter how much effort she put in, so much was lost due to things like poor storage, unpredictable weather, or just not having the right tools. I didn’t have the words for it then, but I knew something wasn’t right. Now I do. There’s a huge gap between agriculture and technology, especially in places like Nigeria. My goal is to help bridge that gap. I want to become a software engineer who builds technology for farmers—things like smart systems that help them monitor crops, reduce waste, or connect with buyers. I want to make tools that are affordable, easy to use, and built specifically for farmers in developing countries. To start working toward that goal, I’ve already gotten hands-on experience. I volunteered at Apple Prints Nigeria Limited as a data analyst. There, I helped clean and visualize data, and I learned how powerful it can be when information is used to solve real problems. It made me excited about how data and software can transform industries—and agriculture is one of the industries that needs it the most. One of the things that keeps me going is a mindset I picked up early on: “Nothing is too difficult—it’s just competitive”.I repeat that to myself whenever things get hard, whether it’s coursework, homesickness, or financial stress. It reminds me that challenges don’t mean I’m not capable—they just mean I have to keep going. I also believe deeply in giving back. Whether it’s helping classmates with their projects or sharing knowledge with people back home, I always look for ways to support others. In the future, I want to build programs that teach farmers how to use technology and even inspire other girls like me to pursue tech careers. This scholarship wouldn’t just help me financially—it would help me continue this journey with more peace of mind and more time to focus on what really matters: building something that makes a difference.