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Aïcha, was born in Senegal and is living in Kuwait. Aïcha’s In-Sight journey is a testament to her commitment to personal development and constant learning. As a 2nd-year student with a background in sustainability and management, one of her first connections with the humanitarian sector was through her participation in the Ensaniyat Youth Fellowship, where she learned more about the rights of migrant and domestic workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Driven by her curiosity to expand her understanding of humanitarian issues and connect with like-minded individuals, Aïcha joined In-Sight’s mentorship program with clear aspirations. "I'm currently learning about humanitarian issues, but I would love to teach about these issues when I'm educated about them," she shared.
Throughout the mentorship program, Aïcha experienced a profound shift in her understanding of leadership.
"At first, my perspective on being a leader was that of a person who knows everything like an expert. After the program, I learned that a leader is a person who is willing to learn from others and grow from others and does not have to know everything. Now, I feel that my old perspective was unrealistic," Aïcha reflected.
The program's emphasis on having a beginner’s mindset resonated deeply with Aïcha.
"I learned a lot about the importance of having a beginner’s mindset and a growth mindset when entering the humanitarian sector. It is okay to have a beginner’s mindset,that was the biggest takeaway for me.," she recalled with a smile.
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Aïcha embraced the concept of the growth mindset wholeheartedly. "I started using the beginner’s mindset a lot and realized that it is okay to not know everything because I can learn a lot not only from people who are older than me but from my peers as well." she said.
The structure of the program, with its diverse sessions and focus groups, provided Aïcha with a rich learning experience.
"I enjoyed all different kinds of sessions because I really like having different ways of learning things, that makes me understand something on a deeper level. I liked how diverse the focus groups were, as there were people from different backgrounds with different experiences. Because of that, the conversations were really good. I loved that the focus groups were not like a lecture," she reflected with appreciation.
As the program came to an end, Aïcha felt a mix of sadness and gratitude.
"Damn, it's over. No more focus groups every Sunday. I loved the people there. The mentors made the meetings very accommodating, I really loved the focus groups," she said, reminiscing about the connections she had made.
A constant learner with a dream of helping others, Aïcha looks forward to making a significant impact in the humanitarian sector.
"As of now, I’m just learning. I would love to be involved in work regarding forced migrants and asylum seekers from Africa and work that helps those who have been affected by natural disasters and climate change," she said, her voice filled with hope and determination.
Cover photo by E. Diop
