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Starting college when there are no colleges left
Qamar, Esraa Abo
http://wearenotnumbers.org/starting-college-when-there-are-no-colleges-left/Date Written: 2024-04-17 Publisher: We Are Not Numbers Year Published: 2024 Resource Type: Article Cx Number: CX25098 How do you study in the rubble of destroyed buildings? How do you concentrate when classmates are killed? Abstract: - Excerpt: On my first day of college, I had mixed feelings -- it was a bit weird being in a new place so far from home, surrounded by new faces. I felt lonely at first, but then I started to make friends: I met Laila, who shares my same dreams and ambition. Together, we planned tirelessly for the future and motivated each other to work hard. Sadly, I've lost touch with her since she evacuated her home and fled to southern Gaza. She lives in a refugee tent now, where there isn’t any internet connection. I hope she and her family are okay, and by okay I really mean alive, because none of us are okay. I don’t think our mental health will ever recover from this. At school, I also became friends with Shaima, whose reputation as a kind, sweet, passionate girl precedes her. After graduating high school with a 99.6 GPA, she had big aspirations for her future. She was doing her best to fulfill her dreams. Devastatingly, Shaima and her entire family were murdered a few months ago when Israel bombed their house. I wept for her -- even though I didn't know her for very long, it was enough to grieve for her. I can't accept her loss. Our dream has vanished and all we have now is a memory. The occupation has bombed our university and destroyed its buildings, and it's hugely devastating to lose my future in this way. When I saw the recent pictures of my university, I barely recognized it: all I saw was rubble. It's heartbreaking. Because of the occupation, we've lost our right to study, and we’ve lost the right to live a decent life. Subject Headings |