Rama Al Yaziji in the early days of destruction
My name is Reema, and I am a student from Gaza. Ever since I was little, I have dreamed of studying abroad, of seeing the world beyond the walls that surrounded me. But growing up in Gaza, dreams often feel impossible. Life here is unpredictable—one moment you’re studying for an exam, and the next, you’re wondering if the internet will come back so you can submit your application.
In April 2024, through Horizons Academy, I heard about a life-changing opportunity—a full scholarship from Inspired Education to study in Italy. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance, like a door opening just for me. But getting through that door was another story.
Only spot for internet—this rooftop.
The struggles started right away. Just sending my application was a battle. The internet in Gaza is unreliable, and sometimes, I had to climb to my rooftop just to get a signal. Some days, there was no connection at all. But I refused to give up. I kept trying, believing that if I worked hard enough, the world would make room for my dreams.
Then, in May 2024, it happened. I got the acceptance email. I remember staring at my screen, heart racing, rereading it over and over. I had done it. I was going to Italy. My family cried tears of joy, my friends hugged me, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like my future was real, like my dreams weren’t just something I whispered to myself at night.
But reality hit fast. The borders were closed. There was no way out. I was trapped. After everything I had worked for, after all the nights spent studying by candlelight and fighting to submit my application, I was stuck in Gaza. It felt like the world had taken my dream, dangled it in front of me, and then slammed the door shut.
My home, my life, right there
Still, I couldn’t let go. And thankfully, neither did Horizons Academy. They refused to leave me without an education. Instead, they found another way—a temporary scholarship to study online at King’s InterHigh, an online British school funded by Inspired Education. It wasn’t the same as being in Italy, but it gave me hope. It kept me moving forward. Even when electricity was scarce, even when the sound of explosions shook my home, I pushed through. I had come too far to stop now.
My family never let me give up. They reminded me, every single day, that I was meant for something greater. And my friend Masa, who had already made it to Italy, kept me working on my assignments, updated about the International School of Milan. She told me about the classrooms, the people, the life that was waiting for me. Her words made me believe that someday, somehow, I would get there too.
And now, finally, that day is near. It’s January 2025, and a ceasefire has been announced. I can finally leave. I can finally step into the life I fought so hard for. The International School of Milan never gave up on me, and Horizons Academy never let me feel alone. They made me believe in myself, in my abilities, in my future.
I promise I won’t waste this opportunity. I will work harder than ever, not just for myself, but for everyone who believes in me. For Gaza, for my family, for the people who never stopped pushing me forward. One day, I will make them proud!
