How did you discover the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation India Scholarship and how has this supported your academic journey?
While I was applying for a Masters programs abroad, I was continuously searching for financial aid or scholarships to support my studies. For me, securing financial support was critical, as I did not want to take on a heavy financial burden at the start of my career. During this process, I came across the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation (NSF) Scholarship, which offers interest-free loan scholarships to Indian students pursuing post-graduate programmes abroad. The strength of its scholar network and the positive experiences shared by past scholars encouraged me to prepare a thoughtful and well-structured application.
The team at the foundation has been extremely supportive and approachable throughout the process. From the rigorous interview stage to post-selection engagement, their mentorship-oriented approach made the experience far more meaningful than a conventional financial award. The scholarship not only eased the financial pressure of studying abroad but also gave me the confidence to fully engage with my academic programme without constantly worrying about repayment timelines or accruing interest.
Beyond financial support, being part of the NSF scholar community has been deeply enriching. It has connected me with a network of driven, socially conscious professionals across disciplines, reinforcing my own commitment to pursuing work that creates meaningful public impact. In that sense, the scholarship has supported not just my academic journey, but also my professional growth as a young Indian studying abroad.
Esha, could you tell us about how you discovered the MINT and your experience in the programme so far?
Towards the end of my time at law school, I was certain that I wanted to build a career in the environmental sector, but I also knew that I did not want to pursue traditional environmental litigation. After graduating, I worked as a Legal and Policy Research Associate with Kalpavriksh – Environment Action Group in an interdisciplinary team. That experience was pivotal. It exposed me to the complex social, ecological and economic dimensions of conservation and sustainability challenges and it became clear to me that law alone could not fully address them. I wanted a more holistic understanding of how policy, markets, governance and communities interact in shaping environmental outcomes.
This realisation led me to the Geneva Graduate Institute and the MINT (Environment and Sustainability) programme. What drew me to the programme was its explicitly interdisciplinary design. It offered the opportunity to engage deeply with the social, economic and commercial dimensions of environmental issues, while also allowing me to build on my legal training. Importantly, the programme has from the beginning also allowed me to apply what I am learning in real-world contexts. Through a research project with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), I have been able to engage with questions at the intersection of international climate change policy and standards. Additionally, as part of the TradeLab, I have worked on the trade and environment nexus by analysing the impacts of the EU’s Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation on the Indian textile industry.
Overall, these experiences MINT have strengthened my ability to approach environmental challenges with a more holistic and solutions-oriented perspective.
How has your experience been so far at the Institute and in International Geneva?
My experience at the Institute has been both intellectually and personally enriching. The academic environment is rigorous yet collaborative, encouraging critical thinking and open debate across disciplines. I have especially valued the opportunity to engage peers from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. Being in International Geneva adds another layer to the experience. Attending public lectures, panel discussions and networking events has allowed me to see how multilateral negotiations, standards-setting and environmental policy making unfold in practice. I am genuinely excited to see what the forthcoming semesters brings and how this will continue to shape both my academic interests and professional aspirations!
For more information on the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation India Scholarships, follow the link here.
