“Time is flying”, earlier I thought that it’s just another word but now I can realize it’s actually true. I am now in the first semester of my third year of university. Last year I achieved some of the goals I have planned. In the first university year, my GPA value was 2.77 but with some hard works and dedication, I was able to achieve a 3.43 GPA at the end of the second year.

At the end of the second year and beginning of the third, I had the opportunity to participate in several events organized by my department. INCEPTION, VIBES are some of them. VIBES is the biggest outdoor concert organized by a university in Sri Lanka.

These days I am trying to improve my communication skills. Striving to achieve this, because it’s very important for my future career. Together with my colleagues, I am planning our annual department trip, it is going to be a very interesting one. Last year it gave us lots of memories and we hope this one will be even more interesting because we know each other better than the previous year.

The third-year first-semester examination will begin in March so I have to prepare for it as well. These days I am giving more attention for studies because there are six subjects this semester for examination and I have to work hard for passing all of them. I would like to especially thank ESOMAR Foundation for offering me this Scholarship so I can freely focus on my studies.

I am in the middle of my university studies. In these two years left, I hope to develop my academic results and I also hope to participate in and coordinate as many events as I can. They help me become a practical marketer and I can learn so many things from these events. Our panel of lecturers gives immense support for doing all this. I would like to thank the ESOMAR Foundation and Sapio Research for the support offered to my education. It is a great help for my future and I can heavily focus on my main goals thanks to ESOMAR.

Ayesh is following a B.Sc. Marketing Management (special) degree program at the Department of Marketing Management Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. His scholarship was granted through a partnership with the global research consultancy Sapio Research.

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This is the eigth blog-post from Nicolin Mamuya, the first ESOMAR Foundation scholarship in South Africa. It’s great to be among the best!

I made it, I am an honours student. Out of 360 applications the top 60 were chosen and I am happy to say that I am one of them! A celebration is in order, at least after everything is settled. We had an orientation on the 26^th of January, which gave us an idea of what to expect as well as guidelines on how to cope with the work. Market Research seems to be the one to watch out for.

Primedia, my previous sponsor, recently invited its alumni for a celebration on the 26^th and the 27^th of January. The 26^th began with picture-taking for the profiles the company is creating for each of us. Then we had a tour around the radio stations and ended the day with a group dinner. It was great! The 27^th focused on advising us about structuring our curriculum vitae, managing money and essentially, remembering to always pay it forward.

The scholarship awarded to Nicolin was sponsored by SSI and in collaboration with SAMRA.

This is the seventh blog-post from Nicolin Mamuya, the first ESOMAR Foundation scholarship in South Africa.
Congratulations Nicolin from all of us at the ESOMAR Foundation!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! It is such a blessing to make it to another year. I wish everyone a joyful and prosperous year.

I haven’t made any resolutions for 2017 because a) I never stick to them and b) there’s so much uncertainty this year. I pray for a good year. I’m still waiting for a response from school about my honours application. I’ll probably get something this week and I received all my results mid-December and I am happy to announce that I am a Marketing graduate. I am truly proud of myself. Everyone keeps asking when the graduation ceremony is but, I’m not even sure of the dates myself. It would be great to have most of my family here however, I am not good at playing the host, a position that my mom would have played if she was still around. I would honestly prefer to just have my mother and one of my aunts but, I would never reject anyone who wishes to attend.

I ended up going to Tanzania on the 21^st of December. It was, according to my cousin, imperative that I go to Tanzania this particular December. I would be lying if I said I enjoyed my stay there. The aunt responsible for my mom expressed that she was under great pressure and that I should relocate to Tanzania to care for my mom soon after I complete my honours degree. I tried suggesting other alternatives such as having someone take care of my mom while I work and send money back home however; there is always the concern of what would happen if the helper wanted to visit her family. Who would remain with my mother? It’s too much for a 20 year old to handle but, I guess this is the cross I have to carry. Hopefully a solution will come up as the year progresses.

The scholarship awarded to Nicolin was sponsored by SSI and in collaboration with SAMRA.

This is the sixth blog-post from Nicolin Mamuya, the first ESOMAR Foundation scholarship in South Africa.
Happy birthday Nicolin from all of us at the ESOMAR Foundation!

I started with my final exams on the 21st of this month. I must admit, I did not enjoy any of them so far. They were all equally challenging. To add to the already existing frustration, I am told that my honours application has been removed from the system, because my academic record does not appear. I have tried so hard to rectify this, but it seems no one is taking my concern seriously. Nonetheless, I will keep trying. I am really afraid of disappointing my mother and the family members that have gone out of their way to ensure I complete my degree.

Unlike , many African homes I am not the first and only one to go to university in my family, which means the standard has already been set and I will be compared to my cousins. However, one thing I love about my family is that we always look out for each other. If someone does not possess the capacity to take their children to school, another family member will step in to assist. The main idea is to create growth within the family and to ensure poverty does not follow us. I appreciate that.

On another note, I celebrated my 20th birthday on the 25th of November. It was definitely memorable. Some friends of mine cooked dinner for me and we spent the whole night laughing and playing in the rain. It was amazing although, they couldn’t get off my back about the fact that I was still the baby in the friendship. We’ll see who has the last laugh when the effects of old age kick in.

I am actually thinking of remaining in South Africa in December. I want to get a job, preferably in retail. I want to gain work experience. In addition to getting a job, I want to wait for my results to come out and sort out any problems with the honours application process. The last thing I want is for a problem to arise and I’m unable to do anything about it because, I am not in the country. Hopefully my next blog post will come with great news. I’m crossing my fingers.

The scholarship awarded to Nicolin was sponsored by SSI and in collaboration with SAMRA.

If you want to support the ESOMAR Foundation and people like Nicolin in having the opportunity to study and pursuing a career in market research…participate the to ESOMAR Foundation charity prize draw today!