Barred From School, She Went to Congress

Tell us about your trip to D.C.

I am advocating with a nonprofit organization called Afghan Scout Relief Fund, which supported me and found me a scholarship to study in the United States. I attended meetings with members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to raise awareness about Afghan women’s lack of access to education.

What motivates you to work for the education of girls and women?

I was raised in Kabul, Afghanistan, and went to school until the ninth grade, when the Taliban took over my country and they banned my school. My parents and my 8-year-old brother are in Kabul. My mother lost her opportunity for education after first grade.

As an Afghan student who missed several years of education due to the restrictions on girls and women by the Taliban, this issue is very important to me. I use my voice to share the stories of Afghan women and bring attention to this crisis.

What are you studying at USF?

I am a computer science major, and my minor is in politics. Computer science helps the human brain with problem solving, and I really want to develop my skills with problem solving. In Afghanistan, there are a lot of people who don’t have access to technology. I want to make it accessible for every kind of human, at any level of economy. Also, I like math.

Why USF?

I came to the U.S. to attend high school when I was 17, and I lived with a host family, who I now visit on the weekends. I came to USF on a tour with my host family. On Lone Mountain, I saw pictures of women, and I noticed this college is supportive of women, and I feel a strong connection with it.

USF helped me with a scholarship, and the International Student and Scholar Services office has been a big support; they advocated for me. I receive a lot of support from USF.

This college is really about humanity. People care about each other, and my professors are really supportive, too. Here, our professors give us wings to fly.