Doctor fled Taliban with mum's scarf and few belongings to find safety in UK
A doctor who fled war-torn Afghanistan to start a new life in Britain says that one day she hopes to return to her homeland and help thousands of young girls just like her. Elham Barakzai boarded a plane in 2021 to escape the clutches of the Taliban.
She left her family behind, knowing she might never see them again, because she feared the extremist regime disapproved of her activity as a women's-rights activist working in Kabul.
Her joy at being accepted for a scholarship at a UK university turned to despair when the Foreign Office announced it was deferring the scheme for a year because it could not administer visas at the embassy in the Afghan capital.
But she eventually achieved her dream of studying in Wales. She is full of thanks for the kindness shown by the people and by staff at Swansea University where she studied.
Dr Elham Barakzai, a 30-year-old Chevening scholar who fled Afghanistan in August 2021 (Elham Barakzai)When she saw Swansea for the first time, she instantly felt a connection to the area. "I love Wales and the nature.," she said. "I'd heard a lot about it and Swansea University is one of the top universities in public health.
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"I fell in love with the city. I had to try to accept the fact I wasn't going to Kabul again because God knows when I was going to see Kabul and my parents again. I went to reception and the receptionist asked if I was the Afghan student and he gave me a very warm hug and said 'We are here for you, we will be your family.' I felt at home."
Swansea University supported Elham to settle in: "It was my first time coming to this Western culture. I didn't even know how to take a bus. I didn't know anything. But [the university] helped me with so many things." During her studies, Elham also had the added stress of navigating the challenging asylum seeker system which the university supported her with.
Dr Elham Barakzai, a 30-year-old Chevening scholar who fled Afghanistan in August 2021. (Elham Barakzai)“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I was worried about my family’s lives and finances, I had to learn a whole new study system, and I was also not sure about my refugee status. After 11 months in the UK she was issued indefinite leave to remain.
It has not always been easy and she admits to having panic attacks and a lot of anxiety, reports WalesOnline.
She said: "I felt too exhausted to tell people that I came from war. To say, that's why I can't enjoy as much as you guys are enjoying. I can't focus on my studies. I can't focus on my life as much as you guys are. I have my parents. I have my house being searched and looted by the Taliban every week."
Dr Elham Barakzai, a 30-year-old Chevening scholar who fled Afghanistan in August 2021 (Elham Barakzai)When Elham boarded a military plane from Kabul she had with her just a scarf belonging to her mother, earrings from her sister, and a book from her friend. Her favourite project back home was helping young women who left orphanages at 18 find somewhere safe to stay through a partnership with Kabul University. When the Taliban returned to power, she had no choice but to leave for the safety of herself and her family.
Her academic success led to the offer of a Chevening scholarship to study her master's in public health at a UK university.
Elham now says hope is what has kept her motivated. "Because I still have hope. Taliban cannot stay in Afghanistan forever. This has not worked before and this will not work this time as well. There is hope for my country and there is hope for my family. I hope one day to reunite with my family.
Dr Elham Barakzai, a 30-year-old Chevening scholar who fled Afghanistan in August 2021. (Elham Barakzai)"That is the hope that has kept me going. Being away from them is really hard. But it makes me work harder to reunite with them and make a good future for them. I don't have time to rest. I had to find a job, get a good credit score and make a good life here so I can invite my family here. That is the only option. My family. They are keeping me going."
After graduating this summer she moved to London and is currently doing administration work alongside studying for the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test. Passing this test will allow her to become a GP in the UK.
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She said: "Studying in the UK and being a Chevening Scholar was one of my biggest dreams, and two years ago, I thought it would no longer be possible. I feel extremely proud and lucky to have had this opportunity, I just hope all the girls in my country have the chance to do the same one day."
Dr Elham Barakzai, a 30-year-old Chevening scholar who fled Afghanistan in August 2021 (Elham Barakzai)She still wants to one day return to her home country and use her medical expertise to serve people in her Afghanistan who need her help.
"I'm a feminist and a medical doctor. I want to use both. I want a good future for Afghan women and I want a really good healthcare system for women in country.
"I will keep advocating for Afghan women. Half of the population are staying home just because they are women. I have to be a voice for them."
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