Furnishing ambitious females with endless support and schooling to become future female pioneers, Ewha is home to students from all around the world that pursue knowledge and growth. Tahera Fahimi, a sophomore studying Computer Science & Engineering at the Graduate School of Ewha Womans University, is a prime example.
Fahimi’s life in Afghanistan was no different than any other ambitious, aspiring female’s. She had a full- time job at a non-governmental organization back in Afghanistan, and had started her own start-up, in hopes of saving enough for her master’s degree as well as providing a better living for her family, including her two sons. This all unfortunately changed as Fahimi and her family’s safety was compromised with the collapse of the Afghan government in 2021. As the United States’ military left Afghanistan, the Taliban had regained control.
Fahimi had worked with the Korean Embassy before, and with that connection, she was able to receive the aid of the Miracle Operation of the South Korean government, which successfully helped all individuals who wished to flee Afghanistan and seek asylum in South Korea to do so. Thanks to the operation, Fahimi and her family arrived in Seoul. After finding out about Ewha Womans University, she viewed it as a chance to pursue her dream education in a supportive environment.
“The unexpected twist of fate allowed me to fulfill my aspirations in a new land, especially after I was awarded a scholarship from Ewha,” Fahimi explained.
Fahimi had been freed from the security challenges that once threatened the safety of herself and her children, being granted an unforeseen opportunity that paved the way for her to grasp what she had long yearned for.
Fahimi’s interest in technology has been a lifelong passion; she had pursued her undergraduate study in the same field, which led to her desire to further enrich her knowledge in the field through a master’s degree.
It is more than a mere coincidence that Fahimi ended up continuing her studies at Ewha. The school’s esteemed reputation, notable history, and peaceful campus life had completely drawn her in.
“I feel grateful for Ewha’s unwavering support in empowering women like me to pursue higher education,” Fahimi professed.
Along with receiving education in Computer Science, Fahimi also wishes to make lifelong friends and memories during her time at Ewha.
Fahimi and her family’s move to South Korea brought several changes, both positive and negative. Free from the terrors of the threatening rule of the Taliban, they have been enabled to a better lifestyle, in a more secure environment. Her family was also given the chance to learn a new language and culture. However, it is one of the unfortunate yet inevitable truths that they will miss a lot of their own cultural identity.
As of 2023, about two-thirds of Afghanistan’s population require urgent humanitarian assistance to survive. Looking back at her home country, she wishes for the beginning of a new, real government that will bring basic reforms including securing the right to education and work for women. She also desires to observe significant economic advancement, fair allocation of education, more resources, and development opportunities across the Afghan populace.
As for herself, Fahimi is preparing to start her career all over again from the beginning, with the highest standards to fit the professional Korean workforce.
“Ewha serves as the ideal platform to acquire the necessary skills for such a journey,” Fahimi added.