When war broke out in Gaza in October 2023, 88,000 college students saw their education abruptly disrupted. Among them was Shyama, a third-year student at the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG).

Shyama’s life was upended when her home, located near the occupied border, was bombed. Forced to evacuate with just a bag containing her laptop and a change of clothes, she and her family were displaced ten times in search of safety. Her university campus was destroyed on October 10, killing faculty members, including the university president.

Determined to Keep Learning

Despite losing everything, Shyama refused to give up on her education. She discovered University of the People (UoPeople)—a tuition-free, accredited online university—and enrolled to continue her studies. With no access to her transcripts from IUG, she had to repeat courses, yet she remained committed to learning.

With electricity scarce, she relied on solar panels to charge her laptop, and internet access was so weak that downloading study materials took up to three hours. Studying in a crowded tent filled with children, she struggled with constant noise but found purpose in education.

Eventually, she found Taqat, a workspace in Gaza with solar-powered electricity and internet. She volunteered there before becoming a Project Manager for software projects while continuing her studies at both IUG and UoPeople.

Resilience Amid Destruction

When Shyama and her family finally returned to their village, they found their home and neighborhood completely destroyed. They now live in a partially damaged house while awaiting reconstruction.

Despite everything, she remains determined to graduate with an engineering degree from IUG in 2025. Her journey is a testament to the power of education as a lifeline amid war and displacement.