What It’s Like Being A Student In Aleppo

(HUFFPOST)
MARIAM HAMMAD

I was 18 when the war started. I had just finished high school and had plans to go to university to get a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. I started at the university of Aleppo. But during my first semester, the university building was hit. Many of my classmates died and many more were injured.

Luckily, I was not physically harmed in the attack, but I was in shock. I did not feel safe to leave the house to go to class anymore, so I dropped out. It broke my heart to have to abandon my studies, because getting an education is very important to me.

So I started looking for courses online. Unfortunately, I did not meet the language requirements for most of the programs, since they are usually in English. My English was not good back then.

But then I came across the University of the People: an online university that offers affordable and accessible education to students from all over the world. Since I am based in Aleppo, I was able to get a special scholarship. The University of the People has established a special scholarship fund for Syrians and refugees who cannot afford the university’s modest $100 examination fees.

For me, it has brought back hope. When I’m studying, it feels like I can leave the war behind.

My teachers check in with me to make sure I’m still alive

"I will not let any bomb get in the way of my education."

Read more at (HuffPost)