Shaima, 30 years old: ”I was in my first college year in Baghdad, Iraq, studying Computer Engineering. I used to wake up early and go to college – excited that I was studying something I like. University life was everything to me. I achieved a very high grade in my high school exam, I could have selected any subject I wanted. I chose Computer Engineering.

During my college days I always worked part time. I found work in a book store near the university that offered stationary, services, and books to students. I was able to save money and I bought a share of the store. Eventually, I was able to acquire the whole book store. I redesigned the store and revamped it to become something I have always dreamed of. In my spare time, I used to read a lot. I love books and I read about many topics. I had some other hobbies: I had birds and fish and I liked taking care of the garden. Life was good to me, and I felt that all my dreams were coming true.

Things started to change in Baghdad in 2003 and 2004, and the security situation was deteriorating. One day, I came to my store to find it hit by mortars and it was in ruins. Everything I built was gone in seconds. I went home only to find out that rockets hit our home. The fish tank was hit and all my fish died except from two who were struggling. I placed them in some water and was able to save them. With my home and store destroyed, my family and I decided to leave and to go to Syria. I brought the two fish with me. I still have them, and they remind me of the good times I had in Baghdad.”

Shaima fled with her mother, father and younger sister Hadeel, who was 17 at the time. They arrived in Syria with little money and decided to start a new life. Shaima looked for jobs, took a course in web design, and started working as a freelancer building websites. She took up part time jobs and was teaching students sciences and computer skills.

Shaima says: “Life started to improve for us and the situation in Syria was agreeable. But when the crisis started in Syria in 2012, fighting reached our home, and we had to relocate several times. My family and I decided to go back to Iraq, but it was not the same Iraq I had left eight years earlier. We couldn’t afford to rent a house, and the security situation was still very tense. Eventually, 20 days later, we decided to go back to Damascus. I went back to my old job in teaching and building websites, and I volunteered with UNHCR helping other Iraqi refugees and Syrian displaced persons.

I was able to continue studying and I got a Masters degree in Computer Engineering through online learning. The crisis in Syria, the destruction of our home and my business did not stop me from striving and continuing my education and finding work. Today, I tell my story to my students whenever I feel they are demotivated or lacking hope.”

Refugees. Ordinary people living through extraordinary times. Share their stories.