Witnessing the impact of a major climatic hazard, through personal family ties, is shocking for any young teenager. For Tsion Syoum, in her final year of the ECI’s MSc in Environmental Change and Management, it was a moment that has defined her future. Here she explains what drives her, and her gratitude for the unexpected scholarship bestowed on her.
Receiving the Claudia Comberti Scholarship was one of the most surreal moments in my academic journey. After securing a place at the University of Oxford for my master’s in Environmental Change and Management, I thought I had reached the pinnacle of my achievements. However, the scholarship was utterly unexpected, leaving me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. To be recognized as a recipient of such an extraordinarily talented cohort in this year's MSc program is an incredible honour that deepens my commitment to this field and the opportunities ahead.
As my one-year master’s program in Environmental Change and Management draws to a close, and I prepare to begin my DPhil at the University of Oxford, I find myself reflecting deeply on my journey here.
In 2014, I witnessed one of the worst droughts faced in my family’s home country, Eritrea, in decades. Distressed by the experience, I struggled to reassimilate into my life in the United States and wanted to do more than just sympathize with the water crisis at hand. I started advocating for water conservation and educating my peers on the impacts of water scarcity. I started a nonprofit organization, The Retaw Water Project, with a mission to support rural communities in Eritrea with a sustainable source of clean water in the form of restoring and constructing hand pump wells and water pipelines. Throughout high school and college, I spoke at school venues, panels, leadership organizations, and nongovernmental organization events, spreading awareness of the global water crisis and raising donations for my water project, a cause about which I was passionate. Developing these advocacy and presentation skills at a young age gave me confidence and tools to continue hosting advocacy events to cultivate proactive global citizens to combat global warming. To date, I have raised more than $45,000 to build sustainable water sources for Eritrea’s rural communities.
Tsion meets local school children at the opening ceremony for the pipeline extension connecting the hand pump well to Sheka Wedi Bisrat Elementary School, providing water access to 1,000 pupils.
As climate-related challenges intensify, the need for clean water has become a pressing global issue, particularly in vulnerable countries like Eritrea. My undergraduate major in environmental studies, with a focus on water policy, deepened my understanding of global water insecurity. However, after graduating from Haverford, I realized my thirst for knowledge was far from satisfied. I wanted to enhance my research skills and broaden my scope to explore water issues across other parts of East Africa.
In Spring 2022, my research took me to Kampala, Uganda, where I studied the social impacts of hydroclimatic disasters in the Lake Victoria basin through a Fulbright Student Research Award. Under the mentorship of Professor Jamiat Nanteza at Makerere University, I completed my research and presented my results at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala through a Fulbright symposium I organized independently. My audience participated with keen enthusiasm, contributing personal anecdotes and viewpoints in the focus groups I convened subsequent to my presentation. Through these structured dialogues, I observed rich cross-cultural exchanges that underscored the universal recognition of water scarcity as a profoundly significant issue affecting all of humanity.
Fulbright symposium at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda
These experiences have solidified my passion for research and affirmed my decision to pursue advanced studies at Oxford, a leader in environmental education and research. The university's diverse and expert faculty, along with the brilliant students and scholars I've met, have profoundly influenced my academic and professional journey.
I chose the one-year master’s program in Environmental Change and Management because I believe an interdisciplinary approach is essential to addressing today’s most pressing environmental challenges. While my passion has long been rooted in water security, I recognized the importance of broadening my understanding of other critical environmental issues to address the interconnected nature of these challenges effectively.
I deeply valued the diversity of individuals the course brought together, each at different stages of their careers, academic journeys, and areas of interest. I found that I grew the most as a student through the behind-the-scenes conversations that occurred outside the classroom, where perspectives were exchanged, and ideas were shaped in a way that enriched my understanding far beyond the formal curriculum.
As I continue to honour Claudia Comberti’s legacy, I am committed to pursuing research that directly improves lives and addresses critical environmental challenges. Looking forward, I am eager to expand my research to encompass wider regions of East Africa, contributing to sustainable water management practices that can be adopted globally. This journey is not just about advancing my academic career; it’s about making a meaningful impact in the world, guided by the values I share with Claudia.