Sunaina Asher | Empowerment Through Community

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My Journey to #AchieveMore

I am an International student am currently pursuing my PhD in the Department of Educational Studies at Ball State University, Muncie, IN. I come from Pakistan and I am glad that I was given a chance to share my story through this contest as I have been wanting to share it for years. I was born to middle class Christian parents who were school teachers by profession and a minority by religion. Christians face persecution in Pakistan and are discriminated against in schools, colleges and in government and private institutions. They are given low ranking jobs and are not treated with respect. Teachers generally believe that Christian students are of average or below average intelligence. When I was in my High School, my mom once told me a story about Jews, and she added “make yourself so qualified that no one can say ‘no’ to you.” Those words stuck with me. Since that day I strived to work hard and be the best student in my class. I wanted to bring a good name to my parents and family with my grades and qualification. In Muslim institutions, I was recognized as a good “Christian” student and a qualified teacher. I love to teach and impact lives. I have an MA. Applied Linguistics from Pakistan, an MA. In TESOL from the US and I am working on my PhD. With my PhD, I hope to strive for the uplift of the Christian community in Pakistan. Most Private Christian institutions do not have enough Christian faculty and leadership because Christians cannot afford higher education in my country. With my qualification I hope to be able to serve my country and community. Hence, my grades and qualification are not just for me or my parents but also for the Christian community in Pakistan.

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