According to the Laidlaw foundation, the research and leadership programme is designed to "equip undergraduate students with the skills, character and resolve to be integrity-driven leaders ready to tackle complex global challenges". Well, when I started the scholarship in March 2023, I had no idea how true this would be or how much this Laidlaw journey would transform me. But here I am at the end, a more assertive, confident, and passionate woman, equipped with so many new tools and skills. So let me tell you a little bit about how the past 18 months have allowed me to develop as a Laidlaw scholar, global citizen and future leader.

The Journey as a Laidlaw Scholar

In December of 2022, I remember hearing about a scholarship that was very different to anything I'd heard of before, which was focused on research and leadership, rather than academics or sports. After some research, I figured this was the perfect opportunity for me to develop. I was a quiet, but passionate undergrad, who loved research and innovation but had several doubts and was unsure of their path for the future. So I decided to apply and to my surprise, I got the interview and also ended up getting the scholarship! It was time for the journey to begin. 

I have a love-hate relationship with my summer 1 research project. It was a complete jump into the deep end, full of challenges, and feelings of frustration, stress, and being overwhelmed. However, it taught me a lot and showed me how much I had already grown. I learned about the importance of speaking up for myself, being organised and having a good work life balance. Furthermore, this project showed me that I cannot, and should not do everything myself. Instead, asking for help and learning from colleagues is an indispensable skill that is always going to come in handy. 

Hand on heart, I do not think I would have enjoyed my summer 2 project if it had not been for the lessons I learned during summer 1. This time, not only did I need to meet new people and carry out a challenging project, I had to also live in a different country, on my own without the comforts of home. Again, this project involved a steep learning curve, however, thanks to the lessons from summer 1 and the personal development I experienced over the year, I handled the project more professionally and carried out my work in an organised and efficient manner. I was comfortable leaning on my colleagues for guidance and support when needed, which prevented me from feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, I planned early to prevent frustration or stress. Summer 2 taught me to be open to feedback and criticism. Using active listening and open communication, I could have productive conversations  with colleagues, to gain insight on how I can improve and express what I need from them. 

Becoming a Global Citizen

The past 18 months have moulded me into a global citizen, a respectful, empathetic and open minded person. Someone humble and aware of other cultures and customs, that is hard working and driven by their goals and beliefs.

Working in research during summer 1 equipped me with drive and resilience to push forward and work harder even when things are not going my way. Summer 2 gave me the skills to communicate effectively and taught me to always fight for what I believe in. These are  valuable attributes that have allowed me to develop as a global citizen and human being.

Becoming a Future Leader

I have always believed that a leader does not look like a big, bossy man that stomps around and barks out orders. I dreamed of being a caring, empathetic and understanding role model that is able to lead their team to success without sacrificing on the health or well-being of themselves or their group. Now, thanks to the Laidlaw training sessions and summer projects, I have the tools and experience to put this leadership style into practice. I can communicate well with others, thrive under pressure, and lead by example, instilling empathy and humility into my colleagues.

I will be forever grateful to the Laidlaw foundation for giving me such a fruitful, rewarding and enriching experience that has paved the way for my development as a global citizen and future leader.