My Journey of Transformation: A Learn Africa Scholarship Experience and Giving Back
New year 2023 arrived with heaviness. Whilst others celebrated, I was mentally preparing myself for a surgery which would take place on the 7th of January. Interestingly, the surgery itself is usually the easier part, it is the time it takes your body and mind to heal that is often more crucial but less talked about.
With Family’s support and love, I healed really fast and this opened the window to take action on an opportunity my good friend Viviane Ogou had shared with me in 2022 through Puerta de Africa. With guidance from my husband, Prof. Ike-Elechi Ogba (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Ebonyi State University) and close friend, Dr. Damilare Faniran (Founder, Rouleaux Foundation), I applied for a funded Master’s scholarship with Fundacion Mujeres por Africa (Women for Africa Foundation) – an organization that supports the development of the African continent through its women – on the 12th day of March.
On the 16th of April, I remember sitting in my home office, working on a plan for Cafe Scientifique-Woman – an initiative I founded to help unlock the problem solving skills of young girls and women through STEM education – when I got an email informing me that I had gotten the scholarship. This was the exact opening line – “We are pleased to inform you that you have been granted a scholarship to study the “Master’s Degree in Nanoscience” (face-to-face modality) in the academic year 2023/2024”. I was going to study the course of my dreams with my return flight tickets, health insurance and monthly stipends fully taken care of.
From there, I embarked on a journey that would redefine my life. As a young African woman passionate about STEM education and empowerment, this opportunity was more than just an academic pursuit—it was an adventure, a cultural immersion, and a chance to broaden my perspective beyond borders.
I left Nigeria on the 16th of October and my first port of entry into Europe was Frankfurt (Germany). Due to the fact I had an extremely long layover, a friend I haven’t seen for over 9 years travelled from Berlin to show me around Frankfurt and we ended up exploring the Experiminta Science Center, tasting different snacks and overfeeding on some indian delicacies at Eat Doori
(https://eatdoori.com/indisches-restaurant-frankfurt/). Arriving in Donostia-San Sebastian the following day, I was met with a whirlwind of emotions – excitement, nervousness, and the thrill of stepping into the unknown. Prior to my scholarship application, I had never heard of
Donostia-San Sebastian. Imagine the thrill when I saw the city in the light of day, I was blown away. From Ondarreta beach to Concha Bay and the old town which had a lot of Pintxos (bite size delicacies). Adjusting to a new environment, different weather, and an unfamiliar culture was a challenge initially, but one I came to embrace wholeheartedly especially after my husband visited to prepare me for the winter with the right fits and food (winks*). Over the course of my studies, I had the privilege of learning from knowledgeable professors about the positive impacts nanotechnology have in engineering, medicine, agriculture, environmental conservation and climate resilience with access to state-of-the-art analysis and characterization tools at the Materials Physics Center, Donostia International Physics Centre and CIC NanoGune.
My Nanoscience classes started on Monday 23rd of october, 2023 with exposure to the world of quantum mechanics, atomic, molecular and nanoscale characterization and until writing my last exam on 5th of June, 2024, I was drilled in 12 courses spanning 3 semesters. Some of my courses include fundamentals of quantum mechanics (origins of quantum theory, postulates of quantum mechanics, wave-particle duality, uncertainty principle, schrodinger equation, spin, stationary and time-dependent states etc), low dimensional systems (calculations of 1D, 2D, 3D and nanodots systems), experimental techniques i & ii (learning about techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Neutron scattering, Scanning & Transmission Electron Microscopy, atomic force microscopy, broadband dielectric spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy etc), fundamentals of nanoscale characterization (band theory, periodicity on surfaces, theory of tunneling, Green functions), soft matter and nanostructured materials(polymers, colloids, gels and self assembly biological systems), nanostructural properties (DFT calculations, modelling and molecular dynamics, From Nanoscience to Nanotechnology (Graphene, Carbon Nanotubes, nanomaterials in renewable energy technology, nanocomposites, nanomagnetism etc), advanced theoretical methods in nanoscience (using Siesta and Vasp for theoretical modelling), advanced topics in nanoscience (plasmonics, near & far field theories, semiconductor quantum dots and nanoparticles) and dynamics of complex materials (Mode Coupling Theory, Glass transition, polymer chain dynamics). During the course of the semesters, meeting with my supervisors and the team of postdocs working on the experimental aspect of my thesis was very hands-on and engaging with the last leg of my studies from July to September filled with writing and defending my thesis.
Beyond academics, this scholarship gave me global exposure. I visited five other vibrant Spanish cities and towns – I was in awe of the architectural wonders of Bilbao (in the Basque Country), the historic city walls in Pamplona (In Navarra), the renowned fishing port of Vigo (Province of Pontevedra, Galicia – here I met, interacted and engaged with fellow scholars and the incredible humans behind the Fundacion), the intricate railways in Irun (Basque Country) and the traditional Basque buildings in Hernani (Basque Country). During the short school breaks, I equally explored the colorful Porto, Portugal, pink hued buildings of Toulouse (France), pebbled coastline of Nice (France), Mountain Backdrops of Monaco, the Gothic Milan (Italy), bustling streets of Paris, exclusive villas of Como and Bellagio (Italy), Alps of St Moritz (Switzerland) and Lugano (Switzerland). Each destination was a classroom of its own, teaching me resilience, adaptability, and the beauty of diverse cultures and food. I engaged in deep conversations with people from all walks of life, expanding my worldview in ways I had never imagined. These experiences shaped me into a more confident, open-minded, and globally conscious individual.
Now, having completed my Master’s degree in September 2024, I have returned to my home country with a renewed sense of purpose. I am applying myself to teaching young girls from underserved communities about the very program that changed my life. I want them to see what is possible beyond their current circumstances—to know that they, too, can break barriers and pursue education that can impact the people around them and their communities. This is why through mentorship, storytelling, and knowledge-sharing at Cafe Scientifique-Woman, I am equipping these young girls and women with the insights I wish I had before embarking on this journey.
This scholarship was not just about education; it was about transformation. It created a paradigm shift in my thinking, empowered me to dream bigger, and continue to give back. My story is a testament to the power of opportunity, and I hope it inspires many more young African girls to take bold steps toward their future. To Fundacion Mujeres por Africa, thank you for believing in me and making these possible. Your investment in me is changing lives today.
Yours sincerely,
Text by Chioma Ibiam Aja
BSc (FUTO, Nigeria), MSc (UPV/EHU, Spain)