Crawford School of Public Policy

For Master of Public Policy student Sarah Aslam, getting to graduation has meant juggling motherhood with full-time study in a completely foreign country.

Making the journey to study in Canberra from her home in Pakistan hasn’t been easy for the mother of two, whose husband had to stay back and work to support their young family.

On a mission to obtain her Master degree, Sarah brought her two children to Canberra and juggled caring for them full-time while studying in a foreign country with no family or friends to support her.

Sarah says that while the journey hasn’t been easy, she has no regrets and she can’t wait to go back home to reunite her family and use the skills she gained while studying at Crawford for the development of her country.

“Studying at Crawford School has been an enlightening experience for me. I’ve learnt a lot. The faculty is tremendous and they bring in a lot of policy perspectives from all around the world.

“I feel privileged to be among the Crawford policy community, which is one of the best in the world. Crawford makes future leaders and I would like to go home and make a contribution towards the development of my country,” said Sarah.

It wasn’t only the teaching staff that provided Sarah with a well-rounded university experience.

“I got to meet people from all walks of life, most of who are professionals from the public and private sector. I’ve learnt a lot from their experiences and back home I can use that experience to help Pakistan,” said Sarah.

Sarah said that living in Canberra has opened her family’s eyes to a life they would have never otherwise experienced in Pakistan.

“They loved the cultural change of living in Canberra and leading a life that’s so different to the one they’re used to – so much so that they don’t want to go back,” said Sarah.

Sarah’s advice to current and future students is simple.

“Come to Crawford School with an open mind and try to absorb as much as you can from the analytical, theoretical and practical experience of the faculty.”