Kenneth Sunday
LAGOS TO GLASGOW – MY SEARCH FOR EXPOSURE AND IMPACT
I am someone who has always been zealous about making impact in the world, and being Nigerian even more intensifies this desire as I am reminded daily about the need to rebuild the diverse sectors of my nation that need knowledgeable intervention. This article is an honest exposition into the factors that shaped my journey so far and influenced one of the biggest decisions of my life yet – coming to Glasgow. Before Glasgow, I lived in Lagos, the busiest yet smallest state in Nigeria. Lagos is known very well for a lot of things, its vibrance, presence of business and different opportunities and a presumed thriving economy as compared to most other states. So, you may want to ask, why did I leave then? I did not leave because of any problems particularly, however having worked in the healthcare sector for a while, I was able to understudy the system and educate myself on system-wide issues that have proven challenging to resolve. These are issues that constantly display a high tendency to remain resistant to interventions that would come in the nearest future. My goal was simple, I needed to gain the knowledge, exposure and experience that would enable me to design and manage interventions or systems that would be sustainable and future-proof for the Nigerian healthcare context. So, what did I need to do? I needed to move outside of the box so that I can look properly into the box and position myself where I can be a problem solver. Hence, I decided that a master’s pathway was great for me, not just for the education but for the exposure and experiential learning I was keen on getting.
For a good reason, the term ‘world-changers’ which is one of the University of Glasgow’s catch phrases resonated so deeply with me and I just could not resist the idea of being identified as one. I spent days researching the University and how much it had embodied that catch phrase. I found countless research and impactful global contributions by the University in the fields of business, neuroscience and technology. At this point you can tell that I had already been won over but then this did not completely happen until I looked up the city of Glasgow - a beautiful, aesthetically majestic and friendly city. At least that was my wholesome perception of the city out of the blogs I read and videos I watched. Glasgow presented itself as a city that would support my academic journey by giving me a homely and inviting atmosphere where I could interact and grow. This was exactly what I desired, to be able to learn in an institution at the centre of global impact and innovation while also being surrounded by beautiful people and a greatculture. That was it, I was sold!
Being in Glasgow has been fantastic, the learning experience has been largely rewarding and I am not quoting this for the mere purpose of delivering an overall positive article. I can honestly say that it has been very transformative for me as a person. Firstly, learning in a university like the University of Glasgow keeps you on your feet and places a demand on you to efficiently structure yourself and be productive. Deadlines may be your worst enemies, but they help you to plan-act-deliver and over time these skills build up even though it does not so much feel like it. I have become very much more confident in my ability to have conversations with peers in my field and even those that are far ahead in their careers. I have always been a fearless person, ready to walk into any room to take my chances with CEOs and high-profile individuals that would naturally be intimidating. The University has helped me to maximize this even more thereby making myself more proactive and outgoing and safe to say now, I want to attend every networking event and shake hands with every CEO. I cannot overemphasise the exposure I have gotten from the different modules in my course; the intersections of healthcare management and public health practice have given me insights into the different aspects of healthcare intervention I can position myself into.
It has been quite a journey and I cannot say now that I am completely experienced and ready to take on the giants that I came to build up myself for. It has only been a few months and there is so much more for me to learn and do in the coming seasons. However, so far it has been very rewarding, and I am glad I started despite the odds. I am looking forward to the future possibilities and the moment I can finally present myself as a product of an institution like this and more importantly, a world- changer ready to show the world what I have on the inside. And so, for me, the journey continues.