Education Versus Lost Generation!

‘When I was in Syria, my school was bombed and I lost my friends.  Having wanted to continue my education, I studied by myself…’ These words belong to 23 years old Muhammed. He had to leave his home and the place in which he was born and raised when he was just 15. When he arrived in Turkey, he was trying to learn Turkish and contribute to his family’s income by working in texture production.

Muhammed, preparing for the Foreigner Student Exam and enrolled in The Faculty of Medicine with the high score he received, explains why he chose the medicine faculty with these words ‘ I saw the importance of being a doctor notably after what I have experienced the war in my country. I was drastically affected by wounded people and I decided to be a doctor. Being a doctor under that severe circumstances was very crucial. Besides, I desire to be helpful and alter the lives.’

Muhammed wants to be a neurologist or surgeon, telling refugee young people have to separately take each universities’ exam and pay tuition for each exam. Muhammed, says ‘We barely pay exam tuition fees and economic challenges after enrolling the university are still continuing. I feel embarrassed towards my family. It is very tough to work and study medicine at the same time as I also attend classes and study. Furthermore, the price of books is quite high.

Muhammed expresses his thanks towards ASAM and GlobalGiving by saying ‘I could pay tuition last year with the cash assistance receiving from ASAM. In addition to these, consultancy services provided by Asam and the Turkish language course were supportive in my life.’.

 Note: The beneficiary's real name has been changed.