Leading the Way to a Brighter More Equitable Future
"Gashora allowed us to be ourselves because it was not weird to be weird. We acknowledged each others' qualities and celebrated different quirks. I admired my classmates, and they are always the first people I'm excited to see when I'm back home. We have developed a solid support system for each other, which will always be invaluable. I deeply miss these moments."
After graduating from Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology, Gaju Benita headed to Sciences Po in France as a Mastercard scholar. This international research university is driven to understand the world better and change it for the better. She is now pursuing her masters in public policy on another Mastercard scholarship. As she looks to the future, she hopes to "return to Rwanda to develop inclusive social policies and social protection programs for all citizens, from top to bottom of the socio-economic ladder."
Would you all please introduce yourself?
My name is Rutagarama Gaju Benita, and I am a proud 2017 alumna of Gashora Girls Academy. While at GGAST, I majored in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology (MCB) and was introduced to economic and political concepts through the debate club. Although my friends complain that I turn every conversation into a political debate, I enjoy talking to people!
You are studying at Sciences Po in France as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar. Congratulations! Tell us where you were when you found out you were accepted? What were your first thoughts?
Before I applied to Sciences Po, I had only heard about the university on French TV shows! It had never occurred to me that I could attend. My heart was focused on Brown University, where I applied for an early decision and was deferred and later rejected.
My university counselor advised me to apply to Sciences Po and their MasterCard scholarship program since I spoke French and was interested in social sciences. I had one week to apply, so I didn't have time to learn about the university until after I sent in my application, but the more I learned, the more open I became to the idea.
After graduating from GGAST, I stayed on campus as a teaching assistant and club advisor intern. I remember receiving the acceptance letter before dinner when relaxing with the other interns. They were all very excited for me, and we walked from the dorms to the dining hall announcing the good news to everyone. The rest of the week was full of so much enthusiasm.
What are you studying? Where was the interest sparked?
During my undergraduate studies at Sciences Po, I majored in Economics and Sociology with a minor in International Relations. I am interested in economic theories but was thrilled by the holistic approach that considers social realities and acknowledges the intersection of the two subjects. After graduation, I again applied for the MasterCard scholarship to receive my master's at Sciences Po. I am currently studying public policy with a concentration in social policy and innovation. Graduate school is one of the best academic decisions I have ever made. The program focuses on the role of welfare states and the private sector to solve the most pressing issues citizens face.
Additionally, I am in Sciences Po's certificate program in Gender Equality and Public Policy which includes weekly intensive lectures and a project with a partner institution. I am currently working with Fondation des Femmes on a research project studying the role of French TV shows, social media celebrities, and the audio-visual industry in general in spreading sexist views.
"I spent one semester in Cairo where I took intensive classes on the Arabic language, social problems in the Middle East, the economic history of the Middle East, and Migration from MENA to Europe. I learned how to engage with and respect different Egyptian customs even when I didn't necessarily relate to them. It was a genuinely enriching and adventurous experience."
You studied at The American University in Cairo. Tell us about that?
I have always been fascinated by Egyptian mythology and dreamt of visiting the pyramids. As part of the undergraduate program, students must spend their senior year abroad, and I didn't think twice before submitting universities in Egypt as my top choice. I had been taking Arabic classes, and I was finally going to be able to practice it. Due to the pandemic, I spent one semester in Cairo instead of the whole year. I took intensive classes on the Arabic language, social problems in the Middle East, the economic history of the Middle East, and Migration from MENA to Europe. I learned so much about Egyptian history and culture. Of course, it was challenging at first to talk to people with my poor Arabic speaking skills. Still, I slowly gained confidence and made great friends and connections that I will always cherish. I learned how to engage with and respect different Egyptian customs even when I didn't necessarily relate to them. It was a genuinely enriching and adventurous experience. I am still taking Arabic classes as I hope to work in an Arab country at the beginning of my career.
You have your own blog, Fullybookminded. Tell us what this is about and how it came about?
During the first lockdown in France, most of my friends returned home. I soon was bored of the same routine: waking up, eating, logging into zoom, and reading. I began to take notes on what I was reading and documented different insights to look back at and remember what I was thinking and passionate about at that time. I shared my summaries with friends, which sparked conversations about the author's arguments and how we felt about the content. I got very excited and started creating videos, reviewing my best reads, primarily focusing on gender, class, and racial issues. And that's how I stopped watching the news every minute to check if the lockdown rules were lifted.
Although social media activism has played an essential role in raising awareness of different causes and concepts ranging from climate change to feminism. I believe reading allows people to dive deeper into these topics and have more meaningful discussions because they have thoroughly engaged with the theories. Moreover, books expose us to ideas that push us to rethink our beliefs, values, and morals. I particularly enjoy reading social sciences books because, as bell hooks expressed so well, "theories in social sciences are essential in making us aware of our position and experiences in society and allow us to compare them to the experiences of others." To me, nothing beats the vocabulary that books lend me that perfectly articulates a feeling, observation, or thought I have experienced.
“Social media activism has played an essential role in raising awareness of different causes and concepts ranging from climate change to feminism. However, I believe reading allows people to dive deeper into these topics and have more meaningful discussions because they have thoroughly engaged with the theories. Moreover, books expose us to ideas that push us to rethink our beliefs, values, and morals.”
You are involved in volunteering with iDebate Rwanda? Tell us about your time debating at Gashora.
Debate has genuinely shaped the person I am today. The most important skill I gained from the debate club is critical thinking. I remember how at Gashora, we would stay up late into the night before a debate competition planning our arguments. It was constant and rigorous thinking and analysis process that would only end when the competition was over. Sometimes, it didn't end; we would catch ourselves talking about different debate prompts weeks after the competition. Debate made me feel like I mattered and had something to bring to the table. I developed leadership and intellectual skills that I believe opened future opportunities. As a debater, the skills I attained allowed me to become a better student, employee, and citizen. Participating in a debate club is significant for children because it teaches them to think independently and question information they consume. They can create their individual beliefs, empowering them to shape their personalities rather than following society's norms and expectations.
Are you involved in clubs on campus?
I have always enjoyed sports, so I joined the Basketball team on campus in the first year, and I joined the soccer team my second year. Playing sports is very important because I can relax after a long day of classes and hang out with my teammates in a non-academic environment.
In addition, I oversaw the pole “events” of Black Lives Matter Sciences Po association. We organized different events such as conferences, exhibitions, book clubs, movie nights addressing racial issues in France. We also created a blog for students to share their experiences with racism.
I also led a project called “regards d’Afrique” whose goal was to visit different primary and middle schools to talk to students and deconstruct stereotypes about Africa that children in France are exposed to. We had workshops and activities that consisted of poetry, games, geography, and history. I believe the more children learn about different cultures, the less they are at risk of internalizing racist beliefs.
“I have always enjoyed sports, so I joined the Basketball team on campus in the first year and joined the soccer team my second year. Playing sports is very important because I can relax after a long day of classes and hang out with my teammates in a non-academic environment.”
Looking ahead at your future, what are your hopes and dreams?
I plan to return to Rwanda to develop inclusive social policies and social protection programs for all citizens, from top to bottom of the socio-economic ladder. I am particularly interested in labor policies and regulation of the gig economy, specifically protecting domestic workers' rights. I will be looking for opportunities to enhance my knowledge and skills in economic and social policymaking until then.
Looking back at your time at GGAST, what do you think made your time there unique and special?
The heterogeneity of students at GGAST made our experiences special. We all had different personalities, but we would fuel our shared passions and interests. We celebrated each other’s achievements and encouraged each other after failures. Gashora allowed us to be ourselves because it was not weird to be weird. We acknowledged each others' qualities and celebrated different quirks. I admired my classmates, and they are always the first people I'm excited to see when I'm back home. We have developed a solid support system for each other, which will always be invaluable. I deeply miss these moments.
What did you learn at GGAST that has helped you in your studies now and in pursuing your dreams?
Attending GGAST with these amazing and talented students was inspiring and drastically increased my confidence. I learned that it is okay not to be the smartest in the room and that sometimes you need to learn from others. Moreover, I realized that it is good to be challenged by others and grow from these experiences. I knew that I had something worthy to offer. Many students have imposter syndrome when they arrive at college. However, I did not because GGAST taught me that I am legitimate enough to thrive in any environment. These lessons made my college experience smoother because I rarely doubted legitimacy to be part of intellectual conversations, debates, or the most challenging courses. Thank you, Gashora Girls, for teaching me that!!
Can you sum up your time at GGAST in one or two sentences?
My time at GGAST was excellent preparation for adulthood. I learned a lot about myself, creating meaningful friendships, and making important decisions.
