DALLAS: As the Taliban’s resurgence brought Afghanistan under its control in the summer of 2021, the dreams of countless students were shattered, especially those like Fahima Sultani, who faced the grim reality of an uncertain future at the hands of gun-wielding extremists.
However, amid the chaos and uncertainty, the United States stepped in to offer a glimmer of hope to these young minds seeking a brighter tomorrow.
For Fahima Sultani, now 21 years old, the journey from Kabul to Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe has been nothing short of transformative. Supported by a scholarship, she is now pursuing her passion for data science. When not occupied in her studies, she cherishes hiking up Tempe Butte, reminiscent of the outings she enjoyed in her picturesque homeland, according to Arab News.
The US colleges and universities reacted swiftly as they witnessed students like Sultani desperately seeking an escape route in August 2021. As the nation withdrew its troops from Afghanistan after two decades, institutions, along with various groups, pooled their resources to fund hundreds of scholarships, enabling these resilient individuals to continue their education in a foreign land.
Many of these brave young women, born around the time the US drove out the Taliban after the 9/11 attacks in 2001, grew up cherishing the freedom to attend school and pursue careers. However, the Taliban’s resurgence upended these hard-fought freedoms, once again stifling the aspirations of Afghan women.
In the face of the Taliban’s strict Islamic rule, which prohibited girls from attending school past the sixth grade and restricted women’s access to universities, parks, gyms, and employment, universities in the US stepped up to offer a lifeline. The Institute of International Education, a global non-profit dedicated to supporting such scholarships, witnessed an outpouring of support from American institutions.
Within days of Kabul’s government collapse, universities across the US were eager to welcome Afghan students and professors. Among them, ASU alone received over 60 Afghan women by December 2021, with more students making their way to various institutions nationwide in the following two years.
Mashal Aziz, who fled Afghanistan when she was only months away from graduating from the American University of Afghanistan, exemplifies the determination and perseverance of these students. After reaching Northeastern University in Boston with the help of scholarships, Aziz completed her bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting management. Now, she is gearing up to pursue a master’s degree in finance at the same university.
Nonetheless, the journey is not without its challenges. Students who left Afghanistan had to overcome language barriers, transfer credits from their home country, and navigate tuition fees. Despite these hurdles, universities like the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, which created multiple scholarships for Afghan students, continue to provide unwavering support.
Beyond financial assistance, the universities have also focused on creating a supportive community for these students. Regular meetups, organized by professors like Danielle Macdonald at the University of Tulsa, foster connections and conversations, helping Afghan students adapt to their new environment.
For some like Hamasa Zeerak and her husband Hussain Saifnijat, who already had a connection to the US through education and work, it was a natural destination. While Zeerak is pursuing a business administration degree and is set to graduate in 2025, Saifnijat is on track to complete a master’s in electrical and computer engineering as early as the next fall.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that there are still numerous Afghan students seeking support to continue their education in the US or make their way to the country from Afghanistan or other nations. Efforts like the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project have been instrumental in funding hundreds of scholarships at American educational institutions.
Yasamin Sohrabi, still trying to find her way to the US with her sister after securing visas to Pakistan, reflects the unwavering determination of these young individuals. Despite the challenges and losses they have faced, their focus remains fixed on the dream of continuing their education.
In this trying time, the US universities have exemplified their commitment to education and empowerment, providing a haven for Afghan students seeking solace and opportunity. As these young minds prepare to graduate and shape their futures, the bond between the U.S. academic community and these brave students grows ever stronger.
