Syrian refugee student wins state scholarship

A nice immigration story in the news this morning, for a change.



A 17-year-old Syrian refugee who has become the recipient of a new State scholarship for students, has spoken of the great welcome and support that her family have received from Irish communities since they arrived here three years ago.

Suaad Alshleh is a first year medical student at the Royal College of Surgeons and was awarded the Professor William C Campbell bursary, worth €5,000, today.

Suaad came to Ireland with her mother at the age of 14, seeking refuge from the war in Syria. Her father joined them shortly after.

Suaad came to Ireland with her mother at the age of 14, seeking refuge from the war in Syria. Her father joined them shortly after.

Suaad spent her first year here in living in Direct Provision with her mother.

"It was incredibly difficult", she tells RTÉ News. "It was probably the toughest time of my life." Suaad says thinking about that time brings tears to her eyes "so I try to block those months from my memory".

She says the thing she missed most during that time was her mother's cooking, which she says would have brought her "comfort".

Suaad’s mother and father are both engineers but Suaad says she has always wanted to be a doctor.


https://www.rte.ie/news/education/2019/1106/1089120-syrian-student/