the other students were really great, and it helped me decide that I wanted to do computer science as a degree. The modules provided also helped me a lot in getting accustomed to life in Trinity. I was accepted on an Asylum Seeker Access Provision (ASAP) scholarship. That was brilliant – I’m not an Irish citizen and hadn’t been resident here for three years so without the scholarship I would have had to pay international fees, which I could never have afforded. I’ve just finished my first year in computer science with very high grades. The first term was intense but was worth it! I had no time even to join any clubs or societies. But after Christmas, the pressure relaxed a bit and now we’re back on campus for in-person lectures, and I’ve gone to a few society events, which I love because I like meeting people from different disciplines. Next year I’m hoping to join the Hiking club and maybe horse-riding as well as language exchange and problem-solving, and I’m also looking at societies focussed on religion and spirituality. I’m interested in different cultures and beliefs. I also hope to learn more languages in addition to French and to improving my Spanish. In the future, when I graduate, I might work with my brother who is an entrepreneur – he is setting up his own company and I think my skills will be useful. Eventually I might start a business myself. Of course, I would like to give back and help my new home, this beautiful country, Ireland, which has supported me and my family, with its beautiful and generous people who know the meaning of civilization. Then I hope to support people in Syria, and people from other conflict zones. It’s incredibly challenging to be a refugee, but I believe you can learn and develop through experience. Education and knowledge teaches you to be compassionate and open-minded, and those are the most important things in life. It’s because they are compassionate that Trinity graduates support the Asylum Scholarships. I’m so grateful. I want to make the most of this opportunity and of my life.’ Thank you for your support, Karim Al Abbasi
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