Before October 7, 2023, every day I would wake up at dawn, pray Fajr, and then start preparing breakfast. My parents and I would sit together. Afterward I would make tea, serve a cup to my mother, and hear her prayer: “May God grant you success, my daughter.” I would arrive at university at 7:30 a.m. and spend a little time with my friends, Sojood and Shaimaa, discussing our studies and grades.
Our conversations were filled with hope and encouragement. Once, my friend Sojood said, “You’re strong, Ohood, and remarkable. I’m confident you will achieve your dreams.” I would head to my lecture at least 10 minutes early and sit in my favorite seat. It had been mine since I entered the university. To me, it wasn’t just a seat but a path toward achieving my dream and starting my life. All my professors knew that I only sat in that seat.
One day, I arrived late. My seat was taken by a classmate. Professor Tawfiq asked, “Where is Ohood?”
The university library, where I spent the most beautiful days of my academic life, was calm, and the scent of books filled the air. I would spend all my free hours there, reading, preparing for my lessons, and summarizing my lectures.
At the end of each term, I would be recognized as an honors student, wearing the graduation robe and holding my certificate of excellence. In those moments, I imagined myself as a graduate, standing on the graduation stage with my certificate in my right hand, surrounded by my friends. I looked into my mother and father’s eyes, seeing the happiness they felt for my achievement.
Of course, before October 7, I faced many challenges simply by living in Gaza. After finishing high school, I had hoped to pursue my university studies in Turkey, but the closure of the border was a major obstacle to continuing my education outside the Gaza Strip.
The power outages, which lasted more than 12 hours daily, hindered my studies and prevented me from charging my phone and laptop. I had to organize my study schedule according to the availability of electricity.
The overcrowded and difficult public transportation was another challenge, as I would spend nearly an entire hour searching for transportation. On one occasion, I was half an hour late for my exam. Fortunately, the proctor, Dr. Hassan, knew me as a diligent student and understood that my delay was beyond my control. He allowed me to take the exam and even brought me a glass of water, asking me to calm myself. I took the exam and achieved an excellent grade.
Then came October 7.
An irony: On that day, I was supposed to give a lecture titled “The Impact of Culture on Education.” I loved standing in front of my classmates, teaching and discussing with them. I envisioned myself as a teacher, standing before my students. But then I began hearing the sounds of rockets falling randomly near our home.
On the fourth day of the war, the random shelling in our area increased, and my father asked us to pack our things and prepare to evacuate. I packed my textbooks into my bag. At first glance, it may seem like an ordinary bag, but it wasn’t. I received it as a gift in 2020 when I enrolled at the Islamic University. I loved carrying it; it gave me a feeling of persistence and strength in facing challenges despite everything.
During my displacement, I used my free time to look through my books and read from them. I was certain the day would come when I could continue my studies. Gradually, I began to lose hope that I would finish my university education, but I never gave up. Whenever I had internet access, which was about once a week, I would download books related to my major, like those on teaching strategies and modern teaching methods. I would read them and discuss what I had learned with my friends.
In April 2024, I enrolled as a visiting student at Birzeit University to continue my education. When I was accepted, I felt hopeful that I would finally achieve my dream. But my joy was short-lived: I lost my right to continue due to poor internet and displacement.
In July, the Islamic University announced that it would resume teaching in two phases: the first for university requirements and the second for major subjects. I felt like a bird soaring in the sky, with hope returning to me once again. I registered for the university requirements, studied three courses, and achieved an excellent grade in each one.
Continuing my university studies and getting honors felt like a miracle. Internet access was scarce, and I usually had to walk over 500 meters to find a connection. I walked among the rubble and bombed houses, with the terrifying sound of aircraft overhead. One day, while searching for a good internet connection to continue my studies, I stepped on broken glass from a bombed house. My foot was injured, despite the fact that I was wearing shoes, and pain surged as blood covered the ground. But I didn’t stop walking. I continued on my way, still searching for the internet.
Many times, I spent hours searching for an internet connection on the streets, despite the overwhelming fear. Once, while searching for a connection to take my exams, a massive explosion occurred nearby. I thought the missile had hit me. The sound of the explosion and the screams were terrifying. I saw the smoke rising from the bombed building, and the area filled with dust, blocking my vision. Glass was everywhere.
I hurried home, my face showing fear and terror. My mother asked, “Are you okay, Ohood?” I cried bitterly and told her, “No, mom, I’m not okay. I’m scared, mom.” She hugged me, trying to comfort me, and prayed for me in her sweet, soothing voice: “May God protect you, my daughter, and grant you success.”
My mother, with her endless prayers and comforting words, became my anchor. Her love gave me strength, even as everything around me fell apart.
The road may be long, but I am steadfast in my belief that I will achieve my dream. I will complete my studies, walk across that graduation stage, and embark on my journey as a teacher. My story, like my life, is one of hope, strength, and the unbreakable spirit of a student who refuses to surrender.
