A Reflection of Hope and Resilience
#StandWithUs, #WeStandByThem
Dear Everyone,
I’ve been quite busy lately, making it hard to share my thoughts with you. But please remember, there is always so much I want to say.
Today, I want to recall a bitter memory from the past year and share it with you. When Laura Jan sought out educational opportunities for me, she discovered UWC (United World Colleges). The entire process initially felt daunting, especially as the application deadline loomed just 24 hours away. At 1:32 AM, my uncle, a friend of Laura Jan, called to share the exciting news that I should begin filling out the application.
At that moment, I was overwhelmed—excited yet stressed—and I stayed awake for those long, exhausting hours. How we completed such a large application in such a short time still amazes me. With Laura Jan and my uncle by my side, we worked tirelessly. I poured my heart into dozens of essays while Laura Jan provided valuable edits and encouragement, all the while feeling the pressure as the deadline approached.
As morning finally broke, I rushed to the photography studio to take the required picture for the application. We somehow managed to complete all the steps and parts of the application. The video portion, where I had to record myself expressing my enthusiasm for UWC, was all that remained. After several attempts, I was waiting for Laura Jan's final approval when we faced another setback: a power outage plunged us into darkness just hours before the deadline.
With only two hours left, Laura Jan suggested that I submit one of the videos I had recorded. I took a deep breath and submitted the application, flooded with a mix of emotions—excitement, stress, happiness, fear, and anxiety.
In the waiting period after submission, Laura Jan was a caring guide, tirelessly helping prepare me for the interview. Although the scholarship results were not really clear, her help taught me the value of optimism and belief in myself. I practiced countless times with her friends, and during this time, I was blessed with a wonderful friend,
, who felt like a sister. She radiated beauty and energy and gave me confidence as I prepared for the interview.However, my joy was short-lived. Due to another electricity outage, I missed my scheduled scholarship interview, and the organizers refused to allow a rescheduling. My heart shattered into countless pieces. I felt an immense responsibility for disappointing Laura Jan after all she had done for me, and guilt consumed me.
Yet, even in that painful moment, Laura, the angel of kindness and love, worked her miracles. She sent me flowers and reminded me that setbacks and challenges are a part of life’s journey. Her unwavering belief in my bright future filled my heart with gratitude, and once again, I felt like the luckiest person in the world to have her in my life.
Though my repeated emails to UWC went unanswered, and I experienced that bitter moment of despair, I also learned valuable lessons about resilience, hope, and the strength of friendship.
Life can be unpredictable, but remember—every setback is an opportunity to rise again, and within us lies the power to transform our dreams into reality.
With hope,
Helai Khurshid
Helai Khurshid is an Afghan refugee living in the United States