After the Taliban crackdown, these students were able to flee to the U.S.—where they've resumed their studies.
The women had full scholarships to study alongside hundreds of other women from more than a dozen countries across Asia, taking courses in biology, economics, psychology, public health and more. Koofi and Ebrahimi are from a generation in Afghanistan who have seen women in their country work as doctors, teachers, government officials and journalists. Because of that, they could dare to dream similar dreams of their own.
Given the diversity of the student body, they were exposed to many new cultures as well. There always seemed to be a new holiday or festival to learn about and celebrate on campus, from the Chinese New Year to Holi, Diwali and more. Their days revolved around comfortable routines—going to classes and participating in clubs like debate, photography and art.,” Ebrahimi said, describing a classical dance form she was first introduced to at the Asian University for Women.
The women spent several weeks that summer worried this would mark the end of the life they had always known. Under Taliban control, they feared their dreams of obtaining a college education would be over. On top of that, they knew they would face the prospect of Ebrahimi was 13 when they settled in the outskirts of Quetta, Pakistan. She continued her studies and lived there with her parents as a refugee, until she left for Afghanistan around age 19 for higher studies.
So, despite strong hesitation from her parents who lived with memories of feeling unsafe in their home country and not wanting their daughter to experience the same, after many months of “struggle to convince them” Ebrahimi’s tenacity paid off and she joined Kabul University in 2017. Oranous Koofi in front of her campus apartment building in Tempe, on Sept. 18, 2022. She is majoring in journalism and hopes to go into broadcasting.
At 25, Koofi is unmarried—an anomaly in her family and in a country where women are typically married at a much younger age. Her oldest sister married at 17. Her two other sisters married at 21 and 23. Koofi said in her culture, if a woman isn’t married by the age of 20, people wonder “what is wrong with you?”
Koofi said she felt grateful to be out of Afghanistan and attending university abroad. She was disappointed when she had to return to Afghanistan because of the pandemic, but tried to make the best of it, living with her sister in Kabul and attending classes online.
Looking back, Koofi views what happened as a good thing. If she and her friends had returned to Bangladesh and graduated from college there, what would they do after that? The Taliban is unlikely to let them work, she said. A U.S. education would open up new doors.Ebrahimi is a refugee once again—this time in the U.S., where she is starting her third attempt to complete a bachelor’s degree. Her parents and one of her sisters continue to live in Pakistan.
After their arrival, Ebrahimi, Koofi and most of the other student refugees in Arizona were living in a hotel close to campus until more dormitory spaces opened up. Ebrahimi was part of the first batch to move into the dorms. The juxtaposition represents the conflict Koofi lives every day as a woman from a traditional Muslim country who is now in an environment where she can make her own decisions and be whoever she wants to be.
Masooma Ebrahimi rides her bicycle on the Arizona State University campus on Sept. 18, 2022. She learned how to ride a bike just this past summer practicing on campus pathways.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
This Striking 148-Foot Superyacht Concept Is Designed to Explore Both Shallow and Deep WatersCaspian Star is certainly dazzling, with two pools, an expandable beach club and a sprawling sundeck.
Consulte Mais informação »
Deadly bomb blast tears through mosque near Afghan Interior MinistryAt least two people were killed when a bomb blast tore through a mosque on the grounds of Afghanistan's Interior Ministry in Kabul on Wednesday, a hospital said.
Consulte Mais informação »
Deadly blast targets mosque near Afghan interior ministry in KabulThe afternoon explosion went off inside the mosque of the country's interior ministry, which is responsible for security and law enforcement in the country.
Consulte Mais informação »
Afghan refugees living in Houston say future unclearUnless Congress takes action, many Afghan refugees living in the United States will see their legal status put in jeopardy next year.
Consulte Mais informação »
Taliban had a ‘massive chilling effect’ on Afghan crypto market: ReportA report by Chainalysis on the MENA region fleshes out traders in Afghanistan either “flee the country, cease operations, or risk arrest.”
Consulte Mais informação »