Angela

Taking Pride in Education 

“When I was five years old, I started attending elementary school and it has been my desire since childhood to graduate from an excellent university and become an ambassador”

Angela’s journey to secure her education however has not been an easy journey, due in part to the security obstacles in Afghanistan.  Yet despite these challenges today she studies at the University of Richmond in America and is on her way to fulfilling her dream.

Angela describes; “   I came to United States through the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) academic scholarship for the first time in 2008, and studied my senior year in an American High School and graduated from Pleasantville High School in Iowa. I received many awards and leadership certificates during my exchange year including the presidential Service Award signed by the U.S. President, the Iowa Student Global Leadership certificate, a certificate of leadership program in Washington DC, and certificate of American Counsels for International Studies”.

“While studying at the American University, I interned with Goldman Sachs 10,000 women, for four months in 2009 which was a great experience. Later on in 2010 I then worked as an Executive Assistant for SOLA, the School of Leadership in Afghanistan. In addition, I worked with Canadian Women for Women as a translator. Recently, I had an internship through IEAW and Foundation for Afghanistan in Bamyan University and taught English for University students”.

Currently Angela is a sophomore at the University of Richmond, and majoring in International Studies focusing on Middle Eastern Studies and minoring in Arabic. She is a member of MSA (Muslim Student Association) and ISC International Student Club. She also volunteers at a Middle School in North part of Richmond, helping students with their homework and teaching them about Afghanistan.  She enjoys her volunteering because it gives her great experience both to teach the students, while also giving her the opportunity to learn from them too.

Angela says “I love Richmond and I love my family because without their support and encouragement I would have never reached to my goal of getting my higher education in the U.S.A”.  “I am really proud to be a woman and I will be able to help and turn many Afghan girls’ dreams into reality in the future hopefully”

Angela is an Afghan to be proud of and we wish her success in her future.