The entire planet is a classroom for Nejat Abdella.  From her home in Ethiopia to Trent University and now the esteemed London School of Economics, this recent International Development Studies (IDS) graduate is a student of the world and a shining humanitarian, destined for greatness.

Ms. Abdella, who came to Trent University from Ethiopia, has recently been accepted into the MSc of International Development and Humanitarian Emergency program at the world-renowned London School of Economics (LSE).

She also won the coveted Chevening Scholarship, awarded to outstanding established or emerging leaders pursuing a one-year Master’s degree. With dreams of attending the LSE since she was a child, this is a truly remarkable academic feat.

“Being awarded a full Chevening Scholarship and a place at LSE is still a bit surreal,” states Ms. Abdella. “I feel very privileged and that all my hard work has been noticed and rewarded.”

Since graduating from Trent with her IDS degree in 2012, Ms. Nejat has taken the world by storm through her involvement with various international organizations including UN Women and the International Labour Organization (ILO). She currently works as a program and finance assistant for the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA).  Ms. Abdella is also involved in community efforts in Ethiopia.

“Three years after graduating from Trent I feel that I am ready to further my education, continue to develop my skills and gain in-depth knowledge about international development and humanitarian emergencies,” stated Ms. Abdella. “Every experience I have encountered has taught me a lot.”

Awarded the full Trent International Global Citizen Scholarship, Ms. Abdella was drawn to Trent’s IDS program due to its global perspective enabling her to learn about the economic, political, environmental and cultural aspects of development. 

“It was at Trent that I started to increase my level of curiosity about the ongoing varied disasters in the world, for which there is a continued urgency for humanitarian emergency and development interventions,” said Ms. Abdella.

While at Trent she was heavily active in the Trent International Program and the Trent Central Student Association.  She served as the secretary general of the Trent Model United Nations Society (TMUNS) and produced a play entitled Mind your Language which highlighted the experiences of international students at Trent.

“I was very proud of my active mentorship, guidance and leadership impacting the lives of these students,” she recalls.

Looking ahead to the future, Ms. Abdella plans to open a school in Ethiopia dedicated to the enrichment of youth through social and cultural activities. While aspiring to become the United Nations secretary general and a Nobel Prize winner, she says: “I hope to be active in sharing my experience with members and in turn heighten my knowledge and skills, explore new ideas and establish partnerships to bring about beneficial change in Ethiopia and Africa at large.”

Posted on Thursday, July 2, 2015.