#3 Embracing Change, Pursuing Growth: A Journey of Hope and Resilience
The future holds hope-hope for better lives, transformative change, and the chance to become better versions of ourselves. It has the power to take us far beyond our plans and expectations, often in ways we could never have imagined. Three years ago, I was in my home country, focused on the goals I had worked toward for years, unaware of how quickly everything would change.
I graduated from high school in Afghanistan, a journey that was far from easy. I started my education in one of the most remote areas of the country, where my sisters and I, along with other girls in the community, walked two hours each way to school every day. To access better educational opportunities, my family moved to Kabul, where I faced new challenges. During my high school years, many educational institutions in the city were targeted by explosions, and I was one of the students who survived. I took the university entrance exam just a week before Kabul fell to the Taliban, a test for which I had put in tremendous effort and sacrificed so much. A few days later, my siblings and I, like many others, had to leave Afghanistan.
Leaving my country was a heart-breaking situation, I had to leave everything behind, including my parents and I have not been able to see them for more than three years. I found myself in a completely new environment, customs, and even a language I couldn’t understand. Adopting to the new life was very difficult and stressful. In the UK, despite enduring mental health challenges due to immigration, I worked diligently to learn English and continue my education.
What I’ve come to realise from my journey to the UK, is that there are two types of futures; the first is the one you anticipate, prepare for, and look forward to, where you feel equipped to face its challenges. The second is the unexpected future, the one that catches you off guard and pushes you to embrace uncertainty. In such moments, the only way forward is to rely on a strong foundation, the strengths you’ve developed, your commitment to personal growth, and a long-term vision that keeps you moving ahead.
Despite the uncertainty, I am pleased to have reached the stage where I have completed my first semester with dedication at University of Westminster. I push myself to grow academically and personally, and while I’ve made progress, I also recognise the areas where I still need to improve. What gives me hope is the understanding that the future offers second chances, allowing us to draw from past experiences and to build something better in our life.
As we approach a new year and a new semester, it’s the perfect time to reflect and make plan to use most of university life, beyond lectures, coursework, and seminars. It is a unique opportunity for us to redefine habits, and challenge ourselves to think bigger with focus and determination. As young people, we have the energy and potential to inspire others, support our communities and to realise that the future is ours to shape. Let’s seize this moment to learn, grow, and create lives of meaning and purpose.
By Fakhria Joya
1st Year Undergraduate Student
Univesity of Westminster Business School