Pa Modou Drammeh, who at a young age was merely a famished scavenger of knowledge, emerged to be a wonder to behold when he did an extraordinary job of redefining what it means to be an international student pursuing higher education abroad. The scholarship he earned in 2016 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in international relations at Ege University was simply a stepping stone to the greatness that awaited him.
His remarkable journey to becoming a Gambian wonder began to see life in December of 2020 when through fortune and excellence he became the winner of the ‘International Students Academy Award’ for an essay competition hosted by the esteemed Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities. This prestigious accolade shed light on his wondrous intellect and writing prowess and solidified his position as an academic genius among international students studying in Turkish universities across all levels of higher education.
This award lit an unquenchable thirst in Pa Modou Drammeh and in a breathtaking display of brilliance, allowed him to continue an unstoppable rise in the academic realm. Merely six months after his initial triumph, he immortalized his name in history by being crowned the best-graduating student in the department of international relations and the overall top graduate in the faculty, at Ege University.
Not only was this monumental achievement a glorious evidence of his unwavering dedication and tireless efforts to make a name for himself and his country, but it also marked the first time an international student had ascended to such unparalleled heights. When asked how such an achievement made him feel, Pa Modou Drammeh’s answer was a smooth wave of diverse thoughts, bursting with intellect.
“Achieving such success at the BSc level was a testament to my dedication, hard work, and commitment to my studies. The recognition I received for my academic achievements from esteemed institutions and peers was deeply gratifying. It instilled a sense of pride, not only in my abilities but also in the representation of my country on an international stage.”
Undeterred by conventional boundaries, and with his vision now sharpened to seek places where greatness resides in abundance, Pa Modou Drammeh embarked on an exceptional dual-masters’ pursuit. Through this ultimate challenge, he was gliding across continents and weaving his way through the corridors of two distinguished universities to ensure that his dreams were materialized.
Tailing a master’s degree in peace and conflict from the eminent Social Sciences University of Ankara and another master’s degree in international relations from the acclaimed University of Naples Federico II in Italy exemplifies his unequaled academic prowess. It is no easy feat juggling the demands of two rigorous master’s programs accompanied by an arduous thesis, yet Pa ModouDrammeh not only juggled it with grace, but he thrived and went on to score other milestones.
“Ultimately, the difficulty of juggling two master’s degrees in two different countries was beyond what I had imagined, but it also became a defining experience in my life. It taught me the importance of pushing past my limits, adapting to new challenges, and discovering the strength within myself to achieve extraordinary goals. Drammeh said with conviction about the challenges he faced during such a tough journey.
And as every hard work eventually yields good things, Pa Modou Drammeh climbed atop another mountain. In the vibrant capital of Turkey, Ankara, he defended one of his master’s thesis with resounding success, graduating with the highest GPA in his program, earning him a distinction, a feat that only a select few can dream of. Not long after this, he added another wondrous triumph to his belt when he defended his second master’s thesis on international law and security, in the picturesque city of Naples, Italy.
The academic giant left behind footprints that powered throughout the academic world as he achieved an incomparable GPA of 110/110, summa cum laude, the highest possible grade in Italy. This groundbreaking achievement ultimately cemented him as the first international student to soar to such an unreachable height, leaving behind an indelible mark on the institution’s history.
Whether or not Pa Modou Drammeh’s Academic journey concludes with these awe-inspiring accomplishments remains to be of little relevance if the impact he left behind and the name he’s made for himself and Gambia as a nation is colossal in its own weight. “Representing my country and breaking barriers as an international student fostered a sense of national pride. It meant that my journey and success could serve as an inspiration to other students in my country and beyond, encouraging them to pursue their dreams despite any challenges they might face.” Drammeh best said himself, as to what reaching such heights could me for him and his country.
With all the knowledge and excellence, he is armed with, Pa Modou Drammeh aspires to covey his story of overcoming challenges and achieving academic excellence to youthful dreamers in order to inspire meaningful transformations as well as contribute to change and growth in both the academic, diplomacy and policy spheres in his home country, Gambia.
As he readies himself for a journey towards molding himself as a Ph.D. holder, let’s applaud Pa Modou Drammeh for the barriers he has broken, the mountains he has climbed and conquered, the manner in which he has immortalized Gambia in international waters, and his un-wilting desire to learn more so that he can one day sail home and perfect his nation.
He serves as a beacon of inspiration and stands to be a clear definition of what it means to push the boundaries of what is deemed possible, to redefine the limits of success. And akin to how a phoenix is born from ashes, Pa ModouDrammeh is a torch lighting up the dreams of youths that have once crumbled to ashes, so that they may rise again, and take form where it was once thought impossible.
