Duha Elmardi selected for Atlas Corps Fellowship Class 21 - Writes In from D.C.!

Opportunity Desk is pleased to receive a note from one of our users, Duha Elmardi from Sudan. She has just been selected for the Atlas Corps Fellowship and has written in from Washington DC to share her story and journey so far as a Fellow.

Read below and be inspired to apply for the Atlas Corps Fellowship.

When I first heard about Atlas Corps, a few years back at Opportunity Desk, with a post saying apply and serve in the United states for a year, I thought that this could be a good chance for something new! I clicked into the links of the websites and I was taken into the world of Atlas Corps, what it really is and how it works.

I was very impressed with the idea of a global network of emerging leaders from all over the world, coming together to share experiences and learn from each other and others and truly change their perspectives. And Atlas Corps’s wide network of host organizations ranging from Ashoka to World Vision to Human Rights Campaign really inspired me to apply and be involved with this fellowship that polishes world leaders and gives them the connection and skills they need to go back and contribute to their communities positively. 

I went through an online application process, got shortlisted and then went through an interview and an online english language proficiency test and waited for a few years for a yes, since the fellowship has a very low acceptance rate of 2%. I got contacted this January and got informed that DC SCORES, one of Atlas Corps’s host organizations is interested to have me as a development fellow. That was one of the happiest moments for me as I felt the sense of accomplishment into becoming a part of this prestigious program. I underwent a few interviews by the host organization and got my dates set, I arrived in the United States in May 2016 as a Class 21 Atlas Corps Fellow. And the experience so far is very fruitful, new friends, wide networks and amazing events and programs to be a part of.  

I recommend this fellowship for any professionals working in nonprofits and civil society and hoping to make the world a better place. Big thanks to Opportunity Desk (OD) for providing me the opportunity to be an Atlas Corps Fellow."

Find out more about Atlas Corps here.

Best wishes, Duha! From all of us at Opportunity Desk.