Sociology Scholarship Application: Aicha Ibrahim's Personal Narrative

This document is a scholarship application submitted by Aicha Ibrahim, a student at Southern Maine Community College. The application details her journey from Djibouti to the United States, her struggles with language barriers, and her determination to pursue higher education. She recounts her experiences in an internship in Ethiopia, working with refugees and gaining insights into their needs. She highlights her educational pursuits, including ESL classes, Adult Education, and her volunteer work at Mercy Hospital and Opportunity Alliance. Ibrahim expresses her desire to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences with a Public Health concentration to work in healthcare and social services, with a specific focus on helping marginalized communities. She emphasizes her commitment to social work, her aspirations to establish an organization to assist refugees, and her gratitude for the opportunities she has received. The application serves to showcase her qualifications and dedication to her goals and requests for financial assistance to complete her Bachelor's degree.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Foundation of Scholarship
Name of the Student:
Name of University:
Author Note

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To whomsoever it may concern,
I am writing this letter to reapply for the Marilyn Rockefeller Transition Scholarship
Fund. At the very first instance, I would like to make the most of this opportunity to express my
heartfelt gratitude, for allowing me to apply for the scholarship, which would help me in
innumerable ways. My name of Aicha Ibrahim. I moved to America from Djibouti in 2012 and
is living here since then, while I am struggling to acquire more knowledge and education and
achieve my goals in life. It has not been easy to find my way through, in an unfamiliar place,
after I came here, but my passion and determination let me hold on to my dreams as I started off
my learning the language.
I am currently a student at Southern Maine Community College, pursuing my associate
degree while planning to take up a four-year degree at University of Southern Maine, which is
also known as University of Maine at Augusta. I was compelled to discontinue the semester
owing to an internship in Ethiopia. It was a challenging experience, but I wanted to take it up, as
I realized it would prepare me for more crucial roles, which would like to engage myself in. I got
to learn a lot about refugees and their struggles as I got to interact with them to understand their
most prior needs. The most crucial challenge which I had to face was linguistic barriers as none
of them understand English as many of them have never gone to school even. I could relate to
their trouble as I recalled my experience of feeling hopeless after arriving at America, some eight
years back. The refugee camp where I worked was owned by the Ethiopian government while
UNICEF worked with them to provide the refugees with the basic necessities for living.
I started taking ESL classes from Level three which enabled me to face many challenges,
which I could not have done otherwise, even though I had a wait for long before getting accepted
into the program. After one and a half years, I enrolled into Adult Education, which is also

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known as Adult Aid even though the waiting list was quite long, which disheartened me at the
beginning. I grew anxious with time as I did not receive calls despite keeping a follow up on the
list. However, I finally was relieved from the burden as I got selected. This was an assurance,
that I was getting closer to my goal and I could achieve it, if only I showed perseverance and
determination.
As time passed, it necessitated that I acquire volunteer and work experience, for which I
applied at the Mercy Hospital and it was no surprise that here too, there was a long queue as
people struggle to get themselves a life and identity, just as I was doing. I did not give up hope
and kept checking if there was an update every single day even though there was not any as I
kept hearing that they were sorry but the waiting list was too long and I was supposed to wait.
My application got reviewed after one month as they sanctioned me the work permit. I could
relate to every person who tirelessly tried to make their dreams come true, as I waited every day
for a positive response, which meant great possibilities.
Even though English is not my first language, I have always been fascinated by its charm.
I wanted to learn the language even though it was very difficult to communicate and start the
process of learning. I do not give up easily and believe in hard work, which I kept doing even
though putting up with all the struggle and making progress was very strenuous. It is rightly said,
if you want anything with your heart, you work towards it with all your might. I knew, few hours
of learning in a class was not adequate and thus I invested myself in the learning process through
every opportunity which came my way. I started volunteering for opportunity Alliance after
school programs, which helped me a lot, while I could help others too. It made me feel positive
about myself with my little attempts to learn and help others in the way as I also started
volunteering for a church donation and service, located close to my house.

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SOCIOLOGY
I received my high school diploma in 2015, after three years of learning and growing
with Adult Aid. It was a moment of excitement as I achieved something I worked for, without
giving up on my dreams. I was even more baffled after getting my high school diploma, as I was
desperate to know what followed next. I started seeking help from my community about where
can I get myself enrolled for higher studies while I finally got my admission at Southern Maine
Community College. As soon as I passed my ESL classes, the program began. I was always
eager and determined to help others, which the force which guided me all throughout. I wanted
to engage myself in Human services, while I was already working with the Maine Immigration
Refugee services as a receptionist. MIRS is a non profit organization which offers the refugees
various services like counseling, work permit, health care and so on, which a person need for
sustaining in an unknown land. This helped me realize that I wanted to work for these clients for
free, which will assure them about better things awaiting for them in future, while they are in
distress.
I wish to pursue Bachelor’s in Social and Behavioral Sciences specializing in Public
Health Concentration (BS). The course would enable me to undertake roles in providing
healthcare and social services. I believe, if everything goes fine, I will be able to take the course
within the next two years, which will be a life changing opportunity, as I always have dreamt of
assisting and providing the marginalized community in United States with affordable services.
This would help me in enhancing their quality by collecting enough funds to offer them the much
needed housing and mental health facilities. I am also doing another internship through which
the refugees coming from African war zones are helped. This strengthens my hope to have my
own organization, someday, in the near future.

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Today, I am a full time student who enjoys going to school as I can learn more about the
world. It gives me immense happiness and satisfaction, to be able to work for Preble Street, as I
feel I am finally being able to express my gratitude towards Maine, for giving me all the
opportunities though which I became whatever little I am today, as the community needs help. I
seek this scholarship because it will help me complete my Bachelor’s degree and work for the
people who need assistance. If I receive this scholarship, I will feel empowered to accomplish
my goals as a social worker, who would offer care and free social services to Mainers and
homeless and be the voice they need as they do not know the language to seek the help they are
in need of. I hope you consider my application as I look forward to hearing from you and
anticipate a response which will take me ahead in my pathway. I cherish the opportunity which
you have given me. Please accept my gratitude and warmest regards.
Thanks and Regards,
Sincerely,
Aicha Ibrahim.