Positive Reflection on my AMAL journey
I started my AMAL journey back in December of last year. I was still locked down at my home, missing many moments of internet scrolling. To say life was boring would be an understatement. At that time, online classes were new to me, but I had already spent a whole semester crying about it, which felt like a routine.
Among this loop of classes, assignments, Instagram, and sleep, I started my AMAL fellowship. At the start, I thought it would be another online course with projects and classes. But my first-weekend session changed that perspective. This whole experience changed me a lot; I have a new perspective to view this world, undoubtedly beautiful.
To pin down an instance was very hard, so I thought of sharing two or three small moments that made this journey beautiful.
I will start with my first Project work when we had to remind us of our principles. My remembrance was a decoration piece made of a discarded block of wood. I covered it with a chart and drew a little bee on it. It was memorable because I always thought I wasn’t creative enough to do anything like this. But I did it; I pushed myself to do it and made a reminder of my struggles.
The best part was the takeaway I took that
No matter how broken and discarded you think something is, you just need to polish it a little. The same goes for humans; we think we are broken and useless when we need a new perspective.
My next story is related to my professional dreams and career path. I have always dreamt of becoming someone who helps others in any way possible. AMAL helped me recognize my interest in what I aspire to be now. I didn’t know I had a natural aura of Hospitality and comfort until my interviewer told me. It was a real understanding, given my nature and energy.
AMAL gave us a chance to polish ourselves by providing us possibilities like
- Preparing our #Superhero Resume and #Superpartner Cover letter
2. Mock interview
3. Group activities in the Breakout room
I learned a lot from my AMAL experience which I never learned in my educational institutes. It was a form of work shadowing without choosing a particular career, and I am grateful that I choose AMAL.
My most significant achievement is my improvement in communication. I have been a very active student in my school, but lately, my social anxiety has affected this trait of mine a lot. I remember I said I need to improve my communication skills in my AMAL fellowship interview. Those words stayed with me, and in every session, I got a chance to work on them.
Every time I worked on my Project works, I got to grow in a new way, and every time, it was as exciting as the first time. I got to learn many new techniques like the Pomodoro technique and worked on my skills. I also could fulfil my philanthropic dream by helping in Edhi Funding and through my Mega Project. All of this made me so happy about the decision I made when I applied for this fellowship.
On top of all, I got to make new friends and meet such good people who never bring you down but help you go up. My fellows are all gem; by assisting me in PWs, making me smile when I am down, they have proved that. I will never trade my fellowship for something else because I found a group of the best people.
All these changes in my behaviour are my reflection and observed by my friends and family as well. My sister told me that she was pleased to see me this optimistic and working on myself. The best part is many people from my network now want to join AMAL because of me.
I am a life long learner and will try to grow more and more. Change is a never-ending process, so I can’t say my journey is complete, but I can say I choose a beautiful path to reach my destination. I am grateful for my fellows and Program Managers who guided us throughout this journey.
