Al Jazeera

When Life Gives You Rubble, Build Your Future: A Student's Journey After the Destruction of Their University!

This student’s dreams stand tall amidst the ruins of their university! Discover how resilience can turn rubble into stepping stones for education. #EducationInAdversity

In 2021, I began my journey at the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG), seeking to carve out my path through architectural engineering. The excitement was palpable as I attended orientation, met fellow students who shared my ambitions, and dove into the world of design and construction. Little did I know that this pursuit of knowledge would soon face the unthinkable: the destruction of my beloved university. It was a dark moment, filled with uncertainty and fear, but little did I realize that this incident would spark a fire within me stronger than the rubble surrounding me.

The day my university was bombed, I felt like my dreams were leveling along with the structures I studied. The library where I spent countless hours poring over textbooks, the lecture halls buzzing with ideas and innovations, were all reduced to debris. Yet, amid the chaos, my desire for education refused to be extinguished. I turned to online platforms and community educational programs; I reached out to professors for remote guidance. The determination to continue learning transformed my perspective on education from a structured environment to one that is resilient and adaptable.

Collaboration became my lifeline. My peers and I found solace in each other's hopes and fears; we formed study groups over video calls, shared resources, and strategized about our futures. We realized that while our physical classroom may have vanished, our commitment to our education remained intact. We pushed each other to keep striving for excellence, embodying the tenacity needed to rise again from the ashes of destruction. Our dreams weren't merely linked to our university; they became a shared mission that could not be easily dismantled.

As I continue on this challenging but inspiring journey, I am reminded of the importance of building not just structures, but also the pillars of perseverance and creativity that will support our future. This experience has deepened my appreciation for education, teaching me that it can flourish anywhere hope is found—even in the most unexpected circumstances. Together with my classmates, I embody the spirit of resilience, showing that education cannot be destroyed; it can only be transformed.

Did you know that higher education in conflict zones leads to increased resilience among young people? According to a UNESCO report, education in such regions helps contribute to peace and stability. Furthermore, architectural engineering students are often at the forefront of rebuilding efforts post-conflict—as they have a unique blend of creativity and technical skill that can transform societies. So while my university may have crumbled, the desire to learn and rebuild only grows stronger—proving that even rubble can become a foundation for the future!