In 2021, I began my journey toward a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering at the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG). Everything seemed to be on track for the next five years: study hard, excel in my courses, complete internships, and eventually pursue a master’s degree. But my plans were abruptly disrupted on October 7 last year, the day I was supposed to submit a major university project. The Israeli bombing began early that morning, but I kept working, accustomed to the periodic attacks on Gaza.
However, what started as a normal day soon turned into a tragedy. By the next day, I learned that a close friend and classmate, Alaa, had been killed in an airstrike. The grief was overwhelming, but more loss was yet to come. In December, another friend, Fatima, died alongside her family in another attack. Life became increasingly unbearable, and my family and I were forced to flee from one place to another, eventually settling in a tent in Rafah.
In March, there was a glimmer of hope. A program allowing Gaza students to enroll in West Bank universities remotely brought a brief sense of relief. I enrolled in courses at Birzeit University (BZU), but even this opportunity was short-lived. As the Israeli army advanced, we had to evacuate once again, and the constant displacement made continuing my studies impossible.
Later, IUG introduced a remote learning plan, allowing students like me to catch up on the lost semester. Despite ongoing bombings, scarce internet access, and the loss of instructors, I managed to complete two courses, walking seven kilometers daily to connect online.
Studying in such dire conditions was far from ideal. I faced continuous disruptions, from weak signals to power outages. Yet, against all odds, I completed my exams in August and September, scoring A+ in both. It was a rare moment of joy amidst a year filled with displacement, loss, and destruction.
This past year has taught me resilience, though at a great cost. In the face of overwhelming adversity, the ability to study became a small but vital escape from the constant chaos surrounding me.
