Through a partnership between Qatar Foundation, Education Above All, and Georgetown University in Qatar, four Palestinian students from Al Quds Bard College have embarked on a journey of academic and personal transformation at Education City.

Scholarships that have been offered to these students enable them to study at Georgetown University in Qatar – one of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) partner universities – while continuing their education at Al Quds Bard College, in addition to gaining hands-on experience through internships at Qatar Museums.

As the Holy Month of Ramadan unfolds, the Palestinian students, who came to Qatar and to Education City in January 2025, reflected on their journey so far and their experiences in Education City, which has become much more than an academic campus.

For Shatha Alsabbah, a third‑year Molecular Genetics student from Bethlehem, Qatar represents her first adventure outside Palestine – and it has been a journey full of challenges and enriching surprises.

The first couple of weeks were mentally challenging for me because I was away from my family, something I’m not used to. However, the accessibility and ease of everything here, which is quite different from the circumstances in Palestine, helped me adjust to this new environment. “This is my first time leaving my country, and Qatar has been great so far – everything is easy, accessible, and everyone I met has been kind and helpful,” she said, while emphasizing the stark contrasts between her life in Palestine and her new environment. “There are many things I couldn’t do in Palestine, so experiencing the freedoms here has been eye‑opening and something I’m very grateful for.”

Alsabbah’s experience in Qatar and Education City has taken an even more profound meaning during Ramadan, and she says: “This is my first time experiencing Ramadan in different circumstances, but being here in a community that feels welcoming and vibrant, makes me feel that I am in, a place where my academic and personal journey is deeply nurtured.”

For Abdelrahman Meki, a junior from Jerusalem who is studying Social Thoughts, Economics, and Policy, Education City is a nurturing space where academic dreams and personal growth come together, paving the way for a brighter future for Palestine. 

He contrasts life in Doha with his experiences back home: “The ease of mobility here is something I have to highlight. It is much easier here in Qatar compared to the West Bank. Even the freedom of speech feels more expansive.”

For Meki, the program is a catalyst for both academic and professional growth, and he says: “I have seen a growth in my personality and education levels here. When I return, I know I’ll be more independent and better prepared to contribute to social change in Palestine.”

Majd Johar, a third‑year Molecular Genetics student with a deep passion for social sciences, recalled the initial challenges of stepping out of her comfort zone.

“Studying in Qatar has provided me, as a Palestinian student, with a platform to share my experience and shed light on the daily challenges that we students face back home, especially on our way to university”.

For Majd, hope and passion are the driving forces that propel her forward despite the hardships back home. Her message is clear: even when the journey is challenging, the promise of a better future remains steadfast.

Reflecting on how her academic experience in Doha has not only enriched her interdisciplinary studies but also added a significant layer to her personal growth, she says: “One of the first things I noticed in Qatar was the ease of mobility, accessibility, and the warm hospitality, all of which have made my experience both enriching and reassuring.

“The social and academic life at Georgetown has been engaging. I can spend an entire day in the library, something that wasn’t possible back in Palestine due to the need to navigate checkpoints to get home”.

Ala’a Abhari, a third‑year student specializing in Human Rights and International Law with a minor in Urban Studies, values the hybrid structure of the program that blends rigorous academic classes with real‑world internships.

“Being able to attend classes at both institutions and intern at Qatar Museums has given me a unique opportunity to grow both as a human rights advocate and as an engaged citizen in a diverse community,” he said, while also highlighting what he sees as the small details within Education City that make a big difference in helping people settle in life within a unique environment of knowledge and opportunity