Picture this: returning to school after an 8-year hiatus, crossing continents, and settling into a city you have always dreamt of exploring—where every corner feels like the start of a new adventure! Well, my name is Diana, and this is my reality. Growing up as a young girl from Ghana, I knew I was made for more and so this new ‘reality’ is not only a dream come true but a vehicle for impact. I am delighted to join the SPS blog as a writer while studying for a Master’s degree in Africa and International Development here at the University of Edinburgh. If you have read this far, then take a seat, I just started!

Edinburgh is the dream city; the people, ambience, Scottish culture and buildings are a breath of fresh air. And if you have managed to read the Harry Potter books like me, then you know visiting Edinburgh is like ticking that ‘must-do’ item off your bucket list. A city that surprises you at every turn, even with its weather—where you can bask in sunshine and still feel the cold at the same time. Just a few days ago, I woke up to snow, only to be greeted by sunlight the very next day. And oh the unforgettable experience of witnessing the Northern Lights (Aurora). Truly, Edinburgh has gifted me countless ‘firsts,’ and places like Arthur’s Seat, Blackford Hill, Princes Street, Castle Gardens, and Dean’s Village make it impossible not to fall even more in love with this city.

My strong penchant for leadership, sustainability, youth and women empowerment, and public speaking drove me to start a podcast dedicated towards such causes in Africa. I also run two projects alongside that focus on empowering young rural girls in Ghana as well as developing the interest of school children in stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Why Africa and young people? Generally I am motivated to do more for young people because I believe young Africans can achieve more when nurtured rightly.

Luckily, my course modules in International Development align perfectly with my passions, equipping me with essential knowledge and skills. Plus, the incredible networks I have built at Edinburgh have been invaluable to my learning journey. When I came, I noticed the sharp difference in culture and the education curriculum, nonetheless the transition has been smooth so far. I am deeply impressed by how accessible the University faculty and staff are and the intentionality towards student’s wellbeing. As an Edinburgh student, the wealth of career workshops and courses available is truly remarkable—by the time you graduate, you not only have academic grades but also a toolkit of professional skills.

Outside the classroom, I dive into volunteering and collaborate with two local Edinburgh firms—one championing sustainability and the other empowering youth development and I have learnt so much in such a short time. I know there’s more ahead and I definitely can’t wait to learn from you and share as much as I receive.

Yours-in-Edinburgh,

Diana

Meet our new writer, Diana! / Students at SPS by blogadmin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0