A Student Perspective
Carrying a dream across borders: A journey of motherhood, scholarship and advocacy
BY VANDANA SHARMA
Born and raised in India, I am a proud first-generation student whose journey has been shaped by determination, love and a deep sense of purpose. When I moved to Buffalo from Canada during an unexpected snowstorm, I wasn’t just crossing borders. I was stepping into my father’s greatest wish for me: to earn a PhD and use it to make a meaningful impact in education. As the first woman in both my family and my husband’s family to pursue a doctorate, this journey is more than academic for me.
Vandana Sharma
I chose the University at Buffalo because I wanted more than a degree. I wanted an academic community committed to equity, social justice and courageous leadership. In GSE, I found rigor, mentorship and a mission that aligns with my own.
As an international educator and special education teacher with seven years of classroom experience, I’ve seen how students with disabilities are often left behind due to systemic gaps in policy and practice. My commitment to helping these students began in India, where the lack of inclusive education and policy frameworks first sparked my commitment to equity. Now, as a third-year doctoral student, my research focuses on adolescent girls with learning disabilities who are at risk of gender-based violence; young women marginalized at the intersections of (dis)ability, gender and race. Too often, they’re denied and/or lack access to support due to the compounded effects of ableism, racism and gender inequality. My work is about amplifying voices that have been silenced for far too long.
I began my program in the fall of 2023. I knew it would not be easy, given the many responsibilities on my shoulders. This journey became even more complex when I learned I was pregnant during the early stages of my PhD. Despite the emotional and physical toll of pregnancy, postpartum anxiety and financial hardship, I chose not to give up. I kept pushing forward without any breaks from my academic and work responsibilities.
Balancing motherhood with doctoral research has been the greatest challenge of my life, but it has also been the most defining. Through tears behind closed doors, I struggled with anxiety and homesickness. Yet, I kept going, buoyed by the steadfast love and support of my husband and family, as well as the unwavering support of my advisor, Dr. Melinda Lemke. It is impossible to share my journey without mentioning her role. Dr. Lemke has been a lifeline. Her mentorship, compassion, fierce advocacy and unwavering belief in me gave me the strength I needed during my most challenging times. She is not only guiding my academic work but also holding space for me as a whole person. It was through her mentorship that my interest in gender-based violence took shape; what began as a question grew into a powerful academic commitment. I am forever grateful!
At UB and within GSE, I have found a community that values both my intellect and my humanity. My research not only contributes to academic scholarship but also informs policy reforms that protect and empower girls at the margins, especially those whose voices have been too long ignored.
To fellow international students and student parents: You are not alone. Balancing school, parenting and life in a new country takes courage and strength. Your journey matters. Keep going, even when it’s hard. Even in silence, your resilience is rewriting your story!
"Every milestone in my career is rooted in the love, joy and strength my children and husband bring into my life."
"Every dream flourishes with a circle of support."
"Everything I am and strive to be stands on the foundation my mom and dad built for me, with my little brother’s encouragement guiding every step of my journey."
Vandana Sharma is a third-year PhD student in GSE’s educational administration PhD program.
GSE Students: Interested in sharing your student experiences and perspectives in Learn magazine? Contact us at gsenews@buffalo.edu.