Ayesha Arif - Environment and Sustainable Development

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Introduction
I belong to Swat, Pakistan which is an underdeveloped country in Southeast Asia. Among its numerous
tribes, I come from the Pashtun. I am the first female from my family who has completed her bachelor's
studies (In Economics) and the first one to apply for postgraduate studies both domestically and abroad.
Pashtuns are known for their conservative lifestyle i.e. they prefer boys over girls. By pursuing higher
education, I aim to open a door and show my people that girls are more than just a tool for marriage,
they are not a burden because Pakistan's current female population is 49% in which only around 25% of
women with a university degree in Pakistan are the workforce. In 25% of working women, only less than
5% are Pashtun women working. This is why my intention to study an MSc in Environmental and
Sustainable Development at the University of Glasgow is crucial as I want to set an example to my
community that women can juggle both marriage and work. My people will only be convinced with my
education because my words only hold value when I have a degree to back them. I believe University of
Glasgow can equip me with a strong academic base to help achieve my goal.

Reasons for Choosing this Course

Specifically, one of the modules taught in this program, ‘’Sustainability and Green Finance’’ appealed to
me because from my home country Pakistan, I have observed that having an abundance of natural
resources in a country does not equate to sustainable economic growth and development. This is
because of its untapped natural resources; Pakistan is still an impoverished state. I have also noticed how
the lack of proper management and protection of the environment has become an obstacle to the
economic development of its people. Even after having favorable climate and geological conditions,
Pakistan is still lagging. As Rasmus Heltberg described in his paper “Property Rights and Natural Resource
Management in Developing Countries” an underdeveloped country's means of living depends on its
natural-made capital but the ill-treatment of it has been a deterrent to the nation’s development.

My fascination with this subject began during my undergraduate studies when I was introduced to
Environmental Economics as a subject. The more in-depth I went, the more questions I had which made
me realize that a B.S. degree alone could not sate my curiosity. This further propelled me to pursue a
master’s degree in this subject as not only will it provide me the opportunity to study this subject at a
deeper level but also reevaluate its concepts and policies in a broader criterion. The nature of this course
interests me as it combines logical thinking with applicable solutions because the issues faced by the
environment are not local or national but global.

Reasons for Choosing University of Glasgow

I intend to explore this subject not only from the perspective of a student but also from the perspective
of a critical thinker because University of Glasgow is recognized for its high caliber research standard,
highly acclaimed faculty, and international reputation. I believe University of Glasgow will not only
provide me the opportunity to interact and work under one of the best policy experts but its degree will
also help me to explore my subject at a higher level. I aim to sharpen my reasoning and analytical skills
as I am eager to learn with inquisitive students. Studying environment and sustainable development at
the postgraduate level and obtaining its degree from University of Glasgow will be a major milestone in
achieving my future goals as it will act as a bridge between my economics background and prospects.

Reasons for Choosing UK

My purpose for studying in the United Kingdom is due to the provision of better living standards and
high educational standards to international students as well as having access to world-leading facilities
and specialists who excel in their respective fields. Courses in the UK education system are also shorter
and more intensive than in many other countries, which means I will graduate sooner without
compromising on quality. The UK aims to guarantee an environment that is well maintained and secured
for the students. A postgraduate degree from a UK university is recognized worldwide and will assist me
in gaining a foothold in the job market. Because the UK is a multicultural society, studying there will
allow me to engage with a diverse body of students from all over the world as well as be a part of the
student community. A master’s degree from world-ranking UK universities will allow me to gain expertise
in my applied course which will help greatly in my personal growth. Not just the degree but I am also
interested in its student lifestyle and personal experience which is the gist of everything. Since I have
traveled to the UK previously, therefore I will be able to adapt more readily while completing my studies.

Future Plans
Previously, when visiting London and Scotland I’ve noticed the care for their environment they show as
compared to Pakistan. One such experience I can recall is traveling to Loch Lomond in Scotland, where I
noticed how preserved it was. I couldn’t help but compare it to Lake Mahodand in Swat. Due to the lack
of proper management and improper disposal of garbage, it has become contaminated. This contrast led
me to pursue a vocation as an environmental consultant. My primary goal is to obtain a postgraduate
degree in Environmental Economics from one the of reputable universities in the world. Then, I plan to
come to my home country and integrate myself in Urban Development Planning, Ministry of Climate
Change as well as Resource Management. The environmental development in Pakistan has made some
progress but its impact is at a small scale and is mainly focused on urban development. The rural areas
are the ones that are abundant in natural resources therefore I also want to focus on addressing the
awareness of its exploitation to the public.