Nowshin Arafa, a 2025 Aspire Leaders Program alumna from Bangladesh, developed from being more introverted to feeling confident in her ability to drive change and speak up. As the first in her family to attend university, Arafa’s journey illustrates how leadership development and building a network can empower first-generation college students to create meaningful impact.
Breaking Barriers as a First-Generation University Student
When Arafa was accepted to the University of Chittagong, it wasn’t just a personal achievement but a celebratory moment for her entire family.
“When I was first admitted, the news brought happiness to all my family members,” she explained. “It was thrilling news.”
Her family members and sister’s motivation particularly encouraged her as she went through the admissions process. She had to work hard but says it was the community around her that supported her on this journey.
“All the credit goes to the people who helped motivate me,” Arafa said.
As a first-generation university student, Arafa now studies banking and insurance as she sees the lack of trust between her community and the insurance and banking industry. She greatly enjoys learning new things through her courses and aims to use her education to help others in Bangladesh through the knowledge she gains.
Finding Her Voice Through the Aspire Leaders Program
After previous attempts to finish the Aspire Leaders Program, she was determined to complete it in 2025.
“Whenever I didn’t complete the whole thing, I was like I need to do it again,” she explained. “I need to succeed.”
The program proved transformative, connecting her with peers globally and strengthening bonds with fellow students at her university. Through Discord interactions and collaborative discussions, Arafa developed crucial communication skills.
“I loved it,” Arafa said. “I loved every module and the way we communicate with other people through the Discord server.”
For Arafa, the program truly helped her confidence and ability to speak up in front of a group. She now doesn’t overthink conversations and feels confident in her leadership skills.
“You need to talk with a lot of people you don’t know beyond your borders,” she explained. “I don’t need to think about beforehand what I want to say so this is a plus point that Aspire [helped me with].”
She now believes that everyone can do something great if they have others to believe in them, push them, and inspire them.
“I believe that I can do it,” she said. “So that’s a very big thing for me.”
Creating Impact Through a Collaborative Community Project 10 Taka Bazaar
The Aspire Leaders Program provides an opportunity during Module 2 for learners to identify community problems and brainstorm solutions. Arafa collaborated with fellow learners, who also attend University of Chittagong, to develop and implement 10 Taka Bazaar.
The initiative addresses the struggles of tea workers in Bangladesh, who despite being vital to the economy, earn extremely low wages. Arafa and her team (Karin Saffana, Asma Binte Rashid, Eusha Jaman Turzo, Kazi Muhaiminul Islam Munaj, and Rahbar Karim) provided a week’s worth of essential food supplies to tea workers for just 10 BDT.
After conducting market research and collecting donations, the team distributed 101 packages to tea workers, earning local media attention and heartfelt appreciation from recipients.
“It was a great project, “Arafa reflected. “The thing that matters to me the most is just the smiles, the gratitude, and the emotional responses we received.”
Future Ambitions: Research and Women’s Health Initiatives
With another one to two years before graduating, Arafa is already planning her next community impact project focused on women’s health.
“My goal right now is to be focused and do something for my people,” she explained.
She has identified that many girls in rural communities lack access to sanitary products. After completing her exams this year, she hopes to implement a project bringing sanitary pads to these underserved areas.
A lot of this was inspired by going through the Aspire Leaders Program.
“I had this want to do something for my people before Aspire, but it motivated me,” she said. “Aspire had a very big [impact] in my life.”
She also aims to explore econometrics research opportunities, combining her academic interests with her passion for creating positive change.
Advice for Other First-Generation College Students and Young Leaders
As Arafa continues to explore how she wants to make an impact and what she will do with her future, she offers some wisdom for others.
“Even if at first attempt, you failed, don’t stop,” she advised. “If you want to help people, if you want to believe them that you are by their side, it’s a very big thing for them.”
Her experience with 10 Taka Bazaar reinforced the profound impact of community impact work.
“You need to help people and work again and again if you want to succeed in life,” she said. “Even small actions can create larger impact.”
Looking ahead, Arafa remains committed to finding innovative solutions for marginalized communities through social projects, entrepreneurship, or collaboration with other changemakers.
“I want to be a part of building a more inclusive future for everyone,” she said. “Whoever you are and wherever you are from, do something that brings you happiness and that brings happiness to the people around you.”
