Ahsan Umar

🇵🇰 Pakistan → 🇺🇸 United States → 🇹🇼 Taiwan → 🇮🇩 Indonesia: Four countries. One journey. Powered by scholarships, youth programs, and global opportunities.

Journey

Pakistan → USA → Taiwan → Indonesia

Year

2023

Field of Study

Global Finance

Program

International Master in Global Finance – National Chung Cheng University

My Story & Profile

Personal Information

  • Full Name: Ahsan Umar 
  • Email Address: ahsanumar2000@yahoo.com
  • Country of Origin: Pakistan
  • Current Country of Residence (if different): Taiwan
  • Current Status (Student / Graduate / Professional): Graduated (Aspiring PHD Candidate)
  • Field of Study / Profession: Global Finance

Opportunity Details

  • Name of Scholarship / Program / Internship / Fellowship: International Master in Global Finance 
  • Type of Opportunity (Scholarship / Internship / Fellowship / Exchange / Conference): Scholarship 
  • Host Country: Taiwan
  • Host University / Organization: National Chung Cheng University 
  • Year of Selection: 2023-2026
  • Level (Associate / Bachelor / Master / PhD / Internship / Fellowship): Masters
  • Funding Type (Fully Funded / Partially Funded / Paid / Self-funded): Fully Funded Except Airfare

Your Success Story: I am not successful yet

From Pakistan to Global Opportunities: My Journey Through Scholarships and International Programs

🇵🇰 Pakistan → 🇺🇸 United States → 🇹🇼 Taiwan → 🇮🇩 Indonesia: Four countries. One journey. Powered by scholarships, youth programs, and global opportunities.

By the age of 25, my journey has taken me to several countries through education, volunteering, and international programs. I grew up in Pakistan, and during my bachelor’s degree in Economics I was always interested in activities beyond the classroom. I believed that learning should not only come from textbooks, so I actively participated in volunteer initiatives and youth organizations to develop my skills and broaden my perspective.

A major turning point came during the seventh semester of my bachelor’s program when I was selected to work as a research assistant on a project related to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Through this experience I met professionals and mentors who had international exposure. One of them encouraged me to start exploring global scholarships and youth programs available online. That advice motivated me to search for opportunities that could allow me to study and work in an international environment.

While researching scholarships and programs, I discovered a lot of platforms in which  Scholarships Corner was one of them, that share global opportunities with students. I started applying to several programs and eventually received a scholarship offer from the University of Pisa in Italy. Unfortunately, due to delays in my appointment process I missed that opportunity. Although it was disappointing at the time, the experience encouraged me to keep applying and not give up.

Soon after, I received admission to the International Master in Global Finance at National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan. This opportunity allowed me to continue my academic journey in a multicultural environment and experience life in a new country while studying with students from different parts of the world.

In addition to my studies, I have also had the chance to gain international work and cultural experiences. During the summer I work as a camp counselor in New York where I teach horseback riding, one of my lifelong hobbies. I have also been involved with youth organizations such as Global Shapers and AIESEC, which gave me the opportunity to participate in different initiatives and join a cultural exchange program in Indonesia.

So far I have visited 10 countries. Each country has given me new perspectives and valuable experiences. My goal is to visit 30 countries by the age of 30 while continuing to learn from different cultures and connect with people from around the world.

My journey is still ongoing. I am not successful yet, but every opportunity, challenge, and experience has helped me grow and move one step closer to my goals.

How did Scholarships Corner help you, and would you recommend it to others? Why?

Scholarships Corner is a powerful platform if you know how to use it effectively. One of the most helpful features is that it often provides direct links to the official application pages, making it easier to apply without spending too much time searching for the original source. Even if you come across an opportunity and later realize you are not eligible, the website still helps you discover similar scholarships, internships, and programs that might suit you better.

In my experience, it helped me stay aware of different international opportunities and motivated me to keep searching. Sometimes you may only find information about a few countries or programs at first, but if you stay active and keep exploring, it can lead you to other opportunities in the future. I would definitely recommend Scholarships Corner to students, especially those who are proactive and willing to dig deeper to find the right opportunity for themselves.

Advice for Future Applicants

For future applications, my advice is to connect with as many people outside your immediate circle as possible to grow your network. Create a LinkedIn profile and start following professors or professionals in your field, especially if you are interested in a career in academia or want direct job opportunities. Many opportunities come through networks, so the stronger and wider your connections, the more chances you will have.

Lastly, always try to give value to others, share knowledge, help where you can, and opportunities will naturally come back to you. By staying active, engaged, and curious, even reading an article or post can lead to discovering multiple opportunities. I hope anyone with a sharp mind reading this can find new possibilities and take the first step toward their international journey.

What Made My Application Stand Out

Growing up in Gilgit, a remote mountainous region in Pakistan, I faced many challenges—limited access to global opportunities, lack of exposure, and fewer resources. But I held on to one thing: my passion for learning and sharing stories. A major turning point in my life came when I was selected as a Kennedy-Lugar YES scholar, which allowed me to study in the United States. That experience opened my mind, strengthened my confidence, and sparked a commitment to inspire other students like me. In addition to academics, I began documenting my personal journey through vlogs on YouTube. Over time, my channel grew to nearly 30,000 subscribers. I now use that platform to share experiences, educational opportunities, and motivational content for youth from underserved areas—especially those who feel unseen. From attending the U.S. Congress to leading Model United Nations conferences back home, each step has made me more determined to bridge the gap for others.

Tips and Advice

Be authentic and own your story. You don’t need to be from a big city or speak perfect English to achieve something meaningful. What matters most is your passion, your willingness to try, and how you grow through each experience. Start small, stay curious, and take initiative—whether it’s leading a school project, applying to a scholarship, or even starting a YouTube channel like I did. Most importantly, believe that your background is your strength, not your weakness.

Achievement Highlights

  • Selected for International Master in Global Finance (Taiwan)
  • Worked as Research Assistant on UNDP-related project
  • Summer Camp Counselor in New York (Horseback Riding Instructor)
  • Participated in international exchange program in Indonesia
  • Visited 10 countries through education & global programs