I mean, I didnโt attend my convocation, nor did I wear my own graduation gown. Why? My university required acceptance of an SCI paper before reviewing my thesisโa process that took about 6 months (significant for a 2-year MSc program). Letโs call it Godโs divine planย ๐.
Yet, by faith, I graduated myself before my school did!ย ๐ย Any MSc gown youโve seen me in was kindly lent by my dear friend Joel Disu, who let me capture memorable photos.
Another fact: I wasnโt on a full scholarship in Chinaย ๐จ๐ณ. My first full scholarship experience came during my current PhD. Although tuition was covered, financial survival was challenging.
How did I survive?
๐
๐๐๐๐.
God funded it all!
There were days I literally looked up to heaven, asking God for daily provision (Psalm 121). Feeling full enough to skip meals felt like a victory, ensuring I had provisions for the coming days. Thankfully, those days are history now.
Why share this?
Because it has always been aboutย ๐
๐๐๐๐. Without that bold step to pursue my MScโdespite uncertainty and financial constraintsโI wouldnโt have:
โ
ย Earned an MSc from a top-4 university in China (Top 50 globally).
โ
ย Started a registered startup through a special entrepreneur visa for top
talents, sponsored by the Zhenjiang government, to attract graduates from elite Chinese universities.
โ
ย Qualified for the Netherlandsย ๐ณ๐ฑย Post-Study Work Visa, specifically designed for graduates of top 200 universities worldwideโallowing me to work and explore Europe before starting my PhD in Australia ๐ฆ๐บ.
โ
ย Built the profile and skills for my bioinformatics career and PhD.
The truth is, obstacles will always exist. You may never have complete certainty that your next move is failure-proofโbut if itโs something God has placed in your heart (Philippians 2:13), take the leap!
Your success lies just beyond your fears.
Whatโs holding you back today?
P.S.: I still donโt have it all figured out. Do I still doubt myself, even as a final-year PhD student? Many times! Yet, I hope my story encourages someone.
