Saba Abraha Tsegaye
My name is Saba Abraha, and I am a student from Ethiopia. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Social Anthropology from Unity University in Addis Ababa. My academic journey was motivated by the inequalities I observed while volunteering as an ambulance assistant with the Ethiopian Red Cross Association, which inspired me to pursue a career in humanitarian and development work.
After graduating, I had the opportunity to work at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Ethiopia, initially as an intern. Working at GIZ Ethiopia marked my first experience in a development project within an office setting. This role allowed me to acquire new skills and better understand my strengths and weaknesses. My first major task was organising an international conference in Ethiopia, which was to be held within two months of starting my position. It was both a challenge and a valuable opportunity to showcase my capabilities and collaborate with people from different parts of the globe and other international organisations. My dedication and performance led to my promotion to Junior Advisor for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ethiopia.
I continued at GIZ on a project focused on SMEs and Ethiopian industrial parks, aimed at creating and sustaining jobs. This position provided me with deep insights into my country’s industrial policies, allowed me to meet key actors in the sector, and gave me first hand exposure to the workers in these industrial parks. I realised the importance of further educating myself to drive the changes needed in my community, learning from the diverse perspectives of policymakers, project leaders, investors, and industrial workers. Thus, I began searching for a graduate program that would best align with my interests. That was when I discovered the European Interdisciplinary Master African Studies (EIMAS) program.
EIMAS was the only scholarship I applied for because it perfectly matched my academic background and professional experience, and I was fortunate enough to secure a spot in the final cohort of this Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree program. Although this journey required me to live miles away from my one-year-old son and husband, I accepted the scholarship offer because I believe it is a unique opportunity for personal growth and evolving into a global citizen. EIMAS is a chance to empower myself, heal from the war trauma I experienced in the recent Tigray conflict and become a better mother and a positive member of my society. Driven by my passion for Africa, research, and development, I believe this program will pave the way for me to become an informed decision-maker, benefiting from the exposure it provides.
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