Working with perseverance
My educational journey from an average dropout slum dweller to an exceptional international student with two consecutive masters and Ph.D. from one of the reputed British universities might have ting of a typical underdog to hero story. However, it has more appeal and take-away for every student going through the bouts of self-doubt, pessimism, or unworthiness of advanced international education. I will outline a brief account of my journey so far and how I managed to make it to London and acquire top-class education.
Middle-class mentality
Until my SSC, i.e., Senior secondary certificate exams, popularly known as 10th standard exams in India, I had no idea about my career or future. It was a common understanding in surroundings. `I was born and brought up in that exceptionally good grades in the 10th and 12th exams only are the gateway to bright future. And if you fail to do so, you are doomed for a long time, and there is no future for you. This flawed mentality played a crucial role in the regression of most unfortunate students from India. Even if one gets through the 10th and 12th, SSC and HSC respectively, with good grades according to middle-class mentality, going for the medical or engineering field was a forgone conclusion irrespective of what students would like to do. Many other possible options like IAS or lectureship in Humanities and social sciences were respectable and acceptable. Still, they were out of sight because of an out-of-mind situation. The second most popular option for those who could not or did not get to MBBS or Engineering was to go for clerical and skill-specific jobs in government-run departments that ensured monthly salary and pension in old age hence more stable and lucrative professions. But the culture of red tape-ism bribery in government job sectors rampant even today in India created tremendous stress for the sensitive minds of many students like me who can see their parents working hard to meet both ends.
Consequently, despite passing the 10th with second class- I did not make it through the 12th standard. I could not afford tuition. I did not have a clear picture of the future. There was an utter lack of proper guidance about the latest careers emerging on the horizons of the new markets. The whole cacophony on do's and don'ts going around in those formative years did not help much. Despite changing to three colleges, I ended up as a dropout. I could not dare go to regular college for the next ten years.
Dreams never die; you have to keep them alive.
However, I had some dreams still alive in my heart, and although I dropped out of college, I did not stop learning and reading. My dreams and optimism, which I derived from reading the biographies of great men, always kept me alive and active. `I was fond of reading, but I did not have money to buy them-especially the classics from histories and social sciences. Thence `I made my small library -exchanging scrapped metal for old books from the scarp vendor. I always liked intellectualizing, critical-analytically thinking, and its application in real life.
I started participating in the social awakening campaign initiated by a local cultural organization. I enjoyed applying the knowledge I have accumulated from reading to spread the social awareness on caste discrimination, gender inequality, and cultural biases prevalent in Indian society. I started conducting workshops and organizing seminars on relevant issues. Slowly I learned public speaking. Soon, I was pretty much in the field talking, interacting, and addressing gathering- which boosted my confidence and enhanced my communication skills.
Out of mind Out of the sight
When it comes to international education, the high pedestal we have kept the international education on makes it difficult for us, if not impossible, to think about acquiring it. Consequently, many students do not even think about it. It is out of the mind out of the site situation.
Once, I held a corner meeting on campus; I came across a seminar on "Foreign Education" in my city. My first thought was negative. I thought it was even silly to think about foreign education for dropouts like me. But I persisted, I thought let me see, so that at least I might be able to guide promising students from society. Here I learned about foreign universities with specially tailored courses and various fellowships, scholarships, and exemption of tuition fees. I realized that these universities are pretty liberal and open-minded in welcoming students with a broad spectrum of real-life experiences, if not academic credentials. I was pleasantly amazed to see the opportunity. I thought if I could transmute my first-hand grass-root experience into academic skills, I could get admissions in most foreign universities. I spoke about the possibility to the key resource person of the seminar-he replied there is no harm in trying anyway; we have nothing to lose. It inspired me to my core. That night I could not sleep. I went online and started exploring various education opportunities abroad, skimming through courses, eligibility criteria, and fellowships. I was contentiously in touch with my mentor, Dr. Paralkar, who encouraged me and guided me in the process. The best thing about Dr. Paralkar was his keenness about students personally understanding and doing all the preparations independently.
After a month or two, I identified scores of universities from Europe, the USA, and Australia to try my luck. I focused on universities from the UK, as universities housed some of the most critical humanities and social sciences departments. I started corresponding with student admission offices via email and phone calls. Simultaneously, I contacted lecturers and professors of social sciences in India for their guidance on which universities and branches to choose for further study. In addition, I was passionately searching for scholarships and fellowships or exemptions of tuition fees available in various universities. I had to get ready reference letters seriously, officially validating existing school certificates and English proficiency certificates.
The sky is the limit
Within weeks, I started receiving admission offer letters from varied international universities. Some were unconditional and others conditions. Most conditional offers were on need to take the pre-sessional English language courses. Out of the offers from European, American, and Australian universities. I focused on European universities, and out of European universities, I zeroed down to universities from the UK. I based my selection criteria on their strength as strong faculties in social sciences -as that is what I was interested in pursuing. So I focused on the University of Sussex, reputed for its critical social scientific school of thought. I selected a specific master's level course in Anthropology of Development and Social Change. It was a conditional offer. I started communicating with admission officials to join the autumn term with serious intention. I intensely and passionately explored every possible opportunity for scholarship or fellowship in my potential university, India, and abroad. I applied to a range of scholarships and fellowships like Common-wealth scholarships, Japan-World Bank scholarships, National Overseas Scholarships, and many others.
At this time, insecurity and uncertainty almost took over me, but I did not give up hope. And one great day, I got a phone call from the Social Justice ministry office that I had been selected for a state government foreign education scholarship. Then the sky was the limit. I had a couple of months to join the course had no money for airfare. But everything worked out; I bought some latest and classic book from anthropology and started preparing myself. Reading and taking notes helped me a lot. Once I` came to the UK, my first installment of scholarship and living expenses were invoiced to the university finance department. I discussed the English pre-sessional class requirement with my program convener and communication skill department. I convinced them that I am confident and competent in English as the spoken and written language. So, I got an exemption from the English language condition. Soon, my classes started, and I could firmly hold my foot in my studies. First time in my life, I received merit grades in the first-ever international master from the UK. It was just a start. Inspired by the success, I decided to do my second master's, i.e., MSc by research, in the same university. With fresh vigor and first-hand knowledge of success- I started applying for various scholarships for MSc. In addition to some savings from the earlier scholarship. I got partial funding and a scholarship from an international non-governmental organization I worked within the past. It was just a matter of time before I successfully finished my second masters specializing in cross-cultural research methods.
More worlds to conquer
After that, I took a gap year and did some earnings based on a post-study work visa. After a year, I decided to pursue my Ph.D. I restarted the process again, targeting top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Ivy League universities from the USA. In searching for research topic-specific funding, I wrote several research proposals that took considerable time and energy. Working part-time to pay bills and living expenses in hand to mouth position while focusing on academic and doctoral pursuits was a ride. However, I rose victorious. I had to compromise and decide to continue my Ph.D. at the same university. Still, I could obtain sponsorship and scholarship from a London-based international non-government organization I was working with.
The story of my doctoral journey could be a matter of independent tale as it is an entirely different learning curve and a wonderful experience in itself. However, I am enjoying the fruits of my success and looking forward to reaching more meaningful and brighter horizons on international levels. I am presently working on my post-doctoral degree. Not too much for a dropout from slums with no hope looking forward to post-doctorate in probably one of the top world-class dream universities. Isn't it? :)
About the author:
Dr. Shrikant Borkar is a senior consultant and a social entrepreneur. He is a social scientist trained in anthropology, theory, practice and research methods. With two masters and doctorate from the University of Sussex, he specialises in processes of higher education, service sector startups, and international development politics with anaim of social change.
Dr. Borkar aims to train 3000 grassroots activists by 2030 in leadership skills for social change by facilitating them state of art international education in social sciences through Vinyans and startup launch platform Kastha. His vision is to impart and strengthen leadership skills among social workers while earning decent livelihood. The main objective behind imparting leadership and survival skills to activists is to create self-sustaining skilled actors and catalysts that would help build egalitarian, compassionate and just society.