Mursal Rahim
“I will be a lawyer and work for the women and girls who do not even know they have rights. I will continue my education to help women around the world. This is why I want to study human rights and international law at university.”
Mursal Rahim received a law degree from Salam University in Afghanistan and worked as a legal assistant for the country’s independent elections commission before fleeing the country after it fell to the Taliban. In spring 2023, she completed a year at Chatham University’s English/Pathways Program and in fall 2023 will begin a master’s in public administration with a concentration in human rights and social justice at Cornell University's Brooks School of Public Policy. She aspires to pursue a career focused on human rights, especially women’s rights.
Marwa Rahim
"I am motivated to resume my studies, even if I must start over, to become a great doctor, help people in Afghanistan, and go to other countries where there are victims of war.”
Marwa Rahim is an aspiring doctor who was in her seventh semester at Afghan Swiss Medical University when she was forced to flee the country. She completed a year of English Language/Pathways Program at Chatham University this in spring 2023 and will continue her studies at Chatham in the fall working toward a B.A. in biology. Her goal is to become a cardiologist.
Waisuddin Rustami
“I studied computer science for three years until the Taliban regime made me flee my country. Attending a B.S. program will build on the foundations of computer programming that I currently possess, train me in the important aspect of aesthetics through guided group projects to help enhance the future usability of I.T. programs I develop, and learn how to work as part of an integrated team to make the most out of individual skills and ideas.”
Waisuddin Rustami was studying computer science when Afghanistan fell to the Taliban. After he completes an English/Pathways Program at Chatham University, he will begin his B.S. in data analytics there in spring 2024.
Mohammad Najim Rahim
“I realized that journalism could provoke profound consequences. This led me to pursue journalism not only as a profession but also as a passion and to become the voice for hundreds and thousands of citizens who are victims of rape, injustice, war, and violence. I desire to continue working in the field of journalism for the rest of my life. Becoming part of UC-Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism will help me combine research, news, multimedia, and investigative reporting to provide clear and effective coverage in English for the world to know about the reality of the war and ongoing challenges in Afghanistan, as well as an ability to write about other human rights violations committed around the world.”
Mohammad Najim Rahim is an Afghan freelance journalist who has regularly contributed to The New York Times since the Taliban takeover forced his family to flee Afghanistan and start a new life in the United States. Before the collapse of the Afghan government, Mr. Rahim reported for The Times, Agence France-Presse and the Associated Press in Kabul. He also founded and was the editor-in-chief of The Roshangaran Weekly, and was a managing director at Rasanayee newspaper. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication from Herat University. Najim is continuing to develop his talents as a student at U.C. Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism where he began class in fall 2022 while also continuing to report for The Times on Afghanistan.
Ehsanullah Faizi
"I am still young, but my country needs my generation’s help. Now I want to fight against the Taliban, not with guns, but with the knowledge I learn through my studies. Then, I can help my people.”
Ehsanullah Faizi is an aspiring cybersecurity/computer science student who finished high school in Afghanistan. He is now working full-time at Amazon and is determined to pursue higher education. He is taking classes at Houston Community College and plans to transfer to another university to obtain a bachelor's degree in computer science or cybersecurity.
Shabir Ahmadi
“With the struggles that my parents faced to build a better life for all of us, I have gained a deep appreciation for hard work and dedication. I still have hopes for a better Afghanistan. Maybe one day, the current situation in my homeland will change, and I will once again have the opportunity to achieve my original ambition. In my opinion, the only way I can do this is by continuing my education.”
Shabir Ahmadi was in his fifth semester of a bachelor of business administration program at Fanoos University in Kabul when Afghanistan fell to the Taliban. His academic credentials were lost, and now he needs to start college over. He is studying intensive English at Northern Virginia Community College while working full-time. Ultimately, he plans to transfer to obtain a B.A. in business administration.
Atifa Niazi
“When I go to the hospital in the U.S., I feel very sad because I can no longer work as a doctor. I know it will be very hard, and it will take a lot of time and effort to start my medical career here, but I want to do it. I want to study at university to continue my dream of being a doctor.”
Atifa Niazi is a medical doctor who needs a U.S. medical degree to practice in the country. She received her M.D. from Zawul University in Afghanistan and completed her practicals at the Ministry of Health Sakarya University, Training and Research Hospital in Turkey. She worked as an OB-GYN for two years before she was forced to flee Afghanistan. She is studying English Language at Northern Virginia Community College and plans to take science classes before applying for medical school.
Bilal Ahmadi
"I am motivated to pursue my education for several reasons. Firstly, I believe that education is essential for my personal growth and development. By expanding my knowledge and skills, I become a more well-rounded individual, capable of adapting to various situations and challenges. Additionally, education plays a crucial role in my career advancement. I understand that obtaining higher qualifications and specialized knowledge will open doors to better job opportunities. Moreover, education empowers me on a personal level. It enhanced my critical thinking, decision-making abilities and confidence in advocating for my rights and interests.”
Bilal Ahmadi was in his last semester of a bachelor in international relations and diplomacy at the Afghanistan Institute of Higher Education when the country fell to the Taliban in August 2021. There, he also worked as the assistant to the chief of human resources for Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security. He is currently studying English at Northern Virginia Community College and plans to pursue an A.A. in accounting and business administration, then complete his B.A. in international relations.
Samira Rustami
"The opportunity to come to the United States has revived my hopes for a better future. I am no longer held back by my caste or my gender. For the first time in a long time, I feel optimistic about achieving my goals.”
Samira Rustami worked as a hotel administrator and teacher before she was forced to flee Afghanistan. She earned an associate degree in civil engineering at the Afghan Institute of Technology in 2016 and a bachelor’s in business administration from India’s Gujarat University in 2020, and now aspires to work as a nurse. She completed the English Language/Pathways Program at Chatham University in spring 2023 and is set to begin a B.S. in nursing at Chatham University’s UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing Pathway Program in fall 2023.
Fatima Faizi
"Among the first orders of business for the Taliban when they recaptured power was to turn back the clock for girls and women. The only hope I have is to obtain higher education and start a new life. Going to university is not a dream to fulfill for myself. It is a weapon that I am holding to fight the Taliban.”
Fatima Faizi was the only female Afghan journalist working for The New York Times in Afghanistan when the country collapsed. She is a co-recipient of the Overseas Press Club Hal Boyle Award and has written for various media outlets since arriving in the United States in 2021. In 2022, she completed a fellowship at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and finished a year at Hampshire College in spring 2023 working toward a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and literature. Fatima will transfer to Columbia University’s School of General Studies in September 2023 to continue working toward her degree.
Mohammed Omar Ahmadi
“The situation in my homeland took away all my hopes for the future since it was hard to believe that one day it would change again and we could go back. But my concerns for the future of Afghanistan are still present, and with each day they grow more. Whatever happens, I still hope and believe in a better tomorrow for my homeland, so I will continue my education.”
Mohammed Omar Ahmadi earned a bachelor’s in international relations and diplomacy from the Afghanistan Institute of Higher Education and an associate degree in computer science from the Afghan Institute of Technology. Before the Taliban takeover, he worked in telecommunications for several companies. In spring 2023, he completed a year of English Language/Pathways Program at Chatham University in Pittsburgh and will begin his master’s in public administration with a concentration in international development at Cornell University’s Brooks School of Public Policy in fall 2023.
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