Valerie Udoka

My name is Shahzaib Asaam, and I got my BBA (Honours) from the Institute of Concern Administration. I first got hooked on numbers, and then strategy and markets really grabbed me. But over time, I started getting more curious about how big economic ideas from around the world actually show up in people's lives right here. School gave me a good theoretical base, but once I got out of those lectures, I realized how much those assumptions needed to be questioned by looking at things through cultural, political, or societal lenses. Back in those early days, I also took the SAT and got an 1130. That score wasn't really about being naturally smart; it showed I could stick with things, especially those structured tests designed for everyone to get a shot at higher education. Going to Girne American University for my study abroad really layered on some extra learning for me. I took a bunch of courses like Strategic Management, Research Methods, International Selling, and Integrated Marketing Communication when I was there. Learning in that setting showed me how ideas about economics change when moved from one place to another. What really flies in one place often needs a tweak when you take it somewhere else. Culture, rules, and even our institutions? They all play a big part in that. Seeing this firsthand genuinely helped me narrow down what I want to explore academically. That time really pushed me toward the GLOCAL Erasmus Mundus program, specifically Study Track C, which focuses on entrepreneurship and sustainability in countries that are still developing. When I was starting out, I definitely learned more from looking at real business cases than just trying to memorize facts. My grades really showed that, I got a 3.67 GPA. The GLOCAL course really clicks with everything I've been working on, because it looks beyond just company numbers to really think about how politics, our economy, and how we keep going long-term all fit together. But it wasn't always a smooth ride. Going through those rough patches when I started out really changed how I deal with tough stuff today. Now, I make sure to slow down, adjust my approach, and keep my focus steady. Those moments? They really show me why it's so important to think things through when life just isn't straightforward. That thinking really matches up with what GLOCAL cares about a lot. What really gets me is Study Track C—it just clicks with what I'm aiming for. I really want to help businesses grow in places that are still developing. It's about finding that sweet spot where a company can do great things and still be good for the community and the environment. I'm all about building ways to make that happen. For me, what matters most is really getting into the nitty-gritty of enterprise, understanding how politics mold economies, thinking about long-term sustainability, and figuring out how global market systems operate. It makes sense that the course covers a few different countries. Growth isn't a one-size-fits-all thing, and it doesn't just happen in a vacuum. Working at Paysys Labs taught me so much. Dealing with over three hundred thousand US dollars in yearly accounts definitely had its pressures. Different teams really pulled together for those fintech projects. We had to be ready for quick changes, plan well, and always look to the future. How financial tools are designed really matters, because they can either help folks out or shut them out. That idea really lines up with some of the things we do at GLOCAL, especially with our Consultandes program and the classes that focus on sustainable practices. What you choose to do really makes a difference. They decide who gets the good stuff and who misses out. I'm back in school, and it's totally on purpose, not just something that happened. This whole experience is really helping me get better at figuring out what to do about the deep-rooted issues folks are dealing with in developing economies. What makes me interested?It's about how new businesses and global trade really hit home with what people in specific neighborhoods need, steering clear of those generic solutions. Big markets and small teams often make a solid foundation together."The way startups are moving into developing regions, influenced by their global reach, really catches my attention."When thinking about growth, it often comes down to figuring out how our plans actually fare when things like company culture, existing rules, any kind of limits we have, and our environmental goals start to push back. I'm really keen on connecting global ways of doing things with actual results right here in our communities. Things around the edges might change, but the core of it all remains the same.Beyond my schoolwork and job, I got involved in events that let me lead teams, practice public speaking, and collaborate with others. One time, I helped put together TechFest '18 with the IEEE NUST PNEC team. I was at KIET Model UN, in the DISEC committee, and I was representing China's perspective. I spent a few days giving out help at WOW Karachi 2019. It was a gathering all about fair chat and opening things up for everyone, put on with support from the British Council and the WOW Foundation. We each got a shot at writing messages for companies, which really changed how people viewed those brands. I really learned some sharper ways to speak and listen during the Crafting Communication Masterclass over at Paysys. I played a lot of team matches with other schools and was pretty active in campus sports. Zameen's promoted properties are driving a lot of interest. They were our verified local contact, and they really got how outreach works, figuring out who really matters and why trust is so important. Every step was a little different, but they all had the same basic idea: seeing how ideas connected with systems, how people came together, and how all that led to real outcomes. It felt like talks just flowed better, and I started seeing things differently about other cultures, which made getting used to new places a whole lot less weird. All these little things really matter when you step into GLOCAL’s shared space. Titles are great and all, but for me, it's really curiosity that keeps me going. Academic Work is important, but what really keeps me going is always asking why things are the way they are. I get a real kick out of seeing ideas come to life, especially when there's a lot riding on decisions in tough economic situations. It's a heavy thing to consider the impact our choices have. What I've been through seems to line up nicely with where I'm headed. GLOCAL’s way of doing things, which brings together different areas of study with a focus on markets that are really taking off, just feels like a natural next step, not just some program. I really enjoy being part of the GLOCAL group, where I get to learn from people with different perspectives. It helps me get better at creating solutions that are well-thought-out, fair, and actually work. This course feels like a turning point for me; it's about getting closer to work that links global ideas with what's actually happening out there. It seriously matters to me to face every obstacle, whether it's in my studies or when I'm working with a team.