Reflections on Acumen Fund Fellowship

As I look back to my year in the fellowship, it seem like have had such a long time. Perhaps it is just because of the amount of learning and interaction that we had during this time. Since this space was entirely new for me, everything I saw, heard and learned was new for me.

The initial eight weeks last year in New York provided me very good insights into the business skills, leadership skills and the skill to build a network around me. It no doubt provided me with the opportunity to be part of such a humble though dynamic and diverse group of friends. I learned to listen, speak out and question more authentically.

Both the retreats upstate in New York and Berkshire were the highlights of my time last year in New York. We learned so much about each other through structured exercises and fun gatherings.

I liked the second part of my field placement in terms of learning and actually doing something practical. Stepped into a new geography, culture and environment I had the opportunity to learn from the customers, their perspective and their perception of the product being offered to them. It was so rewarding to understand the dynamics of a market based solution working out through a community based distribution model. Assessing and designing the communication strategy for the product in Northern Areas of Pakistan was something I have always been wanted to do!

And now back in New York, listening to my fellow fellows stories and framing mine own is such a fulfilling experience to get through! All of us coming back from different geographies, companies and sectors have so much in common to share!

Generosity of thoughts, knowledge and emotions that people at acumen offers to each other and the world has moved my conceptions of this part of the world. Strength of the cohort and team building left me more convince that doing it together always makes it doing it conveniently and cheerfully.

Above all there are few of the things which really affected my own perception of the world, the sector and my own self in so many ways. I learned how important is the human connection for this world that relates all of us to each other regardless of our belief, our nationality, race and cultures.

I feel so confident and independent about myself and the potential that I could utilize to bring a meaningful change in the world around me.

Now looking ahead seems so easy and so optimistic!!! That is the change I could have been thought of and wished off. I am very much optimistic about myself at personal and professional level. Facing and being part of the change has never been so easy.