Share the Dream: My Life, My Focus, My Goal Share the Dream: My Life, My Focus, My Goal: Mdluli, Clair

Talent Merit Scholarship Recipient

South Africa is well known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural diversity, and resilient spirit, a country where history and hope walk hand in hand. It’s in this vibrant land that I was born and raised. My name is Amahle Clair Mdluli, and I come from a town called Stanger Ballito, in South Africa. I have a younger brother named Menzi, although “younger” might not be the right word anymore, considering he’s now 6 '1 tall and speaks with a voice so deep, it sounds like a Dodge Charger engine is rumbling in his throat. He’s only 17, mind you. I come from a large and well-known family, as my great-grandfather was King Goodwill Zwelithini of South Africa and still is.While my mom often reminds my brother and me to keep that detail private, I believe that no matter where life takes us, our roots will always be a part of who we are. Speaking of my mother, I was primarily raised by my grandmother. My mom left for work and moved to the United States when I was in first grade, I was basically 6 years old. It’s been two years now since I arrived in the United States, after waiting 11 long years for the immigration process to finally approve my brother and me. My parents had already been living here for work, so for much of my life, I lived in South Africa without them physically by my side. It’s a complex and emotional story, one for another day but what matters most is that, despite the distance, my parents always did everything they could to support me and make sure I had what I needed.

I attended elementary school at a place called Radha Roopsingh Primary School. It was one of the best schools in my community, especially when compared to others in the area. I started school later than most kids because they didn’t accept children born after June and to this day, I still don’t understand why. While I waited, my grandmother took it upon herself to teach me how to read, and that made a big difference. By the time I was finally enrolled, I could already spell and write basic words like any other student. From there, my academic journey took off. I began doing really well, my grades were always high, I received awards every year, participated in speech and poetry competitions, ran track, played netball and also danced a quiet few times for school concerts. My teachers liked me and often told me that they saw a bright future ahead. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what they meant when they said, "Don’t lose focus,” because I was just a kid. All I cared about was passing with A’s so I could get a box of coloring pens or a new doll as a reward and honestly, that’s what kept me going. But then I grew.

I graduated from elementary school in 2019, and the following year,2020, I started high school at Stanger Secondary School. I still remember my first day as if it happened yesterday. On that first day of high school, I took the bus early in the morning, arrived at school, and sat alone under the trees, waiting for the bell to ring so I could figure out where to go. The school felt huge.

Honestly, I thought I was going to faint, my heart was pounding uncontrollably. At the time, I didn’t realize I was experiencing severe panic attacks. It wasn’t until I turned 17 that I finally understood what was happening. And yes, I’m still dealing with it but I know it’s going to be okay, because God never gives us more than we can handle. As time went by, I made friends even though many of them weren't good for me, at least not for who I was deep down. I'm not blaming them, we’re all just people, and we’re all different. I just don’t know what kept pulling me down the wrong path. Maybe it’s part of life, part of growing, part of experience. Somewhere along the way, I started caring more about how I looked. I began doing my hair every day, paying attention to my appearance. But as I leaned more into that version of self-care, I slowly lost passion for the things I used to love back in elementary school. I stopped everything. I can’t say too much about it - it’s a lot. But what mattered to me was that, through it all, I somehow managed to pass my classes.

The education system in South Africa is very different compared to that of the United States. In grades 8 and 9, students take what are called “general modules”, which let you explore different career paths to see what suits you best. Then, in grade 10, you select the subjects that align with your intended college major. In my opinion, that process can feel like a waste of time, why not just decide from the start? Isn’t that what life is about? Or maybe I’m just overthinking it.
Anyway, during those two years, I discovered a deep interest in becoming a doctor. So when my grade 10 report came out and showed I had passed, I eagerly signed up for all the science classes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get in because my math grade was a C and the science track required at least a B. I was devastated. All my friends got into the science classes, and I was left out, placed with students I didn’t even know. Instead, I was placed in the analytical stream. I ended up taking subjects like Pure Mathematics, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, English First Language, and Zulu, along with other native languages. Looking back, I realize that even though it wasn't the path I originally wanted, it taught me a lot about myself, about resilience, and about learning to find purpose in unexpected places.

Being born and raised in South Africa was an incredible experience, the culture, the many native languages, and even the rare animals made it a unique place to grow up. I learned things most people don’t, like tricks to tame animals and how to connect with nature in ways that felt magical. But while South Africa is rich in culture, it lacks opportunities for those who want to achieve big dreams. The resources are limited, and for someone like me who wanted more for myself and my family, I knew I had to look beyond its borders. Coming to America felt like leveling up and getting closer to my goals and choosing UMass Dartmouth has been the best decision I've ever taken, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. As I've said before God never gives us more than we can handle. Most importantly being part of the College Now program has given me great support and opportunities to grow personally and academically. Now, as a student majoring in Finance, I feel empowered to build the life I’ve always envisioned. I chose Finance because I believe it will not only help me secure a better future for myself, but also allow me to
 
give back to everyone who helped me get this far, especially my grandmother, who played a major role in shaping who I am. To me, finance is more than just numbers, it’s a powerful major that has a variety of opportunities, builds generational wealth, and helps others grow into what they want to be. I’m focused, motivated, and committed to turning this vision into reality. I’m also really hoping to get an internship during my time here to gain hands-on experience in the finance field and begin building the skills I’ll need to succeed after graduation.

My goal is not just to earn a degree but to use my education to make a meaningful impact. I want to build a life that supports my family, uplifts my community, and contributes to the world in a positive way. Coming from a place where opportunities were limited, I understand the value of education and how life-changing it can be. I hope to use my experiences and knowledge to advocate for students like me, those who come from underrepresented backgrounds and feel like the odds are against them. I’m committed, it will happen.