Help Zoia Pursue a Master's Degree

My name is Zoia Suleiman, and I am a 22-year-old Syrian student finishing my undergraduate degree in International Relations at the University of British Columbia. Growing up in Syria among a warm, generous, and hospitable community, I was extremely hopeful about the revolution in 2011, which, I thought, would bring my people and me the just, equitable, and livable environment we deserved to prosper. However, when my family and I were stopped in our own town by the non-governmental Free Syrian Army Islamic armed group, forcing us to leave our house with our belongings behind and flee the area for our safety, I realized that prosperity was not going to be the next chapter for my country. Moving to Russia and having to attend seventh grade in the middle of the school year without any previous Russian knowledge was one of the most difficult obstacles I had to overcome. However, such a challenge seemed insignificant against the all-consuming frustration I felt witnessing from a distance my country getting destroyed and Syrian women becoming targets of gender and sexual violence. This feeling of helplessness fuelled my passion for becoming fluent in Russian, persevering in my studies, and mobilizing my personal growth to fight for truth, accountability, and justice for Syrian women. Thus, through relentless work, I managed to pursue a fully-funded education at the United World Colleges in Armenia and the University of British Columbia.

I have carried my motivation to empower women and tackle social justice issues in every community I have been a part of. In Armenia, I worked with a team of students to organize a march for women's rights, raising awareness for the resources available for women, from seeking domestic violence protection to employment opportunities. At UBC, I volunteered for the Sexual Violence Prevention Office on campus to reach out to possible victims of sexual violence and monitor crowded university events for instances of sexual assault. I also worked as a coordinator for the Intercultural Development Program, where I made it my mission to dissect women's diverse experiences worldwide and the importance of transnational solidarity to the student body. My volunteer and work experience complemented my studies and allowed me to maintain excellent grades and a strong academic progression, finishing my last semester with a 94% average.

After years of overcoming various obstacles, traveling to different continents, and demonstrating persistent academic excellence, I cultivated a burning passion and a strong sense of duty to contribute to my country's post-conflict reconstruction. Knowing the crucial role women play in peacebuilding, I firmly believe that this process begins with empowering the Syrian women, who have become even more vulnerable during times of conflict and the weakened rule of law. By pursuing a career in the documentation of women's human rights violations in Syria, working as the link between international and local organizations, I hope to make peace and justice a reality for Syrian women.

Why the Graduate Institute of Geneva:

Through my academic journey, I determined that the most meaningful and impactful way I could contribute to my country's post-conflict reconstruction and women's empowerment was to research and implement effective strategies for documenting women's human rights violations and creating links between resourceful international organizations and local groups with on-ground expertise. Therefore, I applied for the International and Development Studies Master at IHEID as every single aspect of the program prepares, facilitates, and enables me to conduct such research and pursue my desired career path. I was delighted to be admitted to the program with a specialization in Peace, Conflict, and Security, which provides comprehensive theoretical and practical manifestations of conflict and the conditions of peace necessary to dissect the complex Syrian context. As part of the specialization, I have to conduct Applied Research Projects, working with one of the 30 international organizations and 250 NGOs surrounding the institute. I plan on undertaking research investigating effective Syrian women's human rights violations documentation strategies for legal accountability, future prevention, and long-term peacebuilding, with organizations such as the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom based in Geneva. In addition, this program offers the opportunity to undertake an internship as part of the degree, which is ideal for me to gain the professional and practical experience I need to succeed in my post-graduation career.

The Graduate Institute of Geneva (IHEID), located within close proximity to human rights international organizations and its focus on practical as well as academic skills in this sector, is the ideal opportunity for me to fulfill this aspiration. Although I was admitted to IHEID's two-year Master in International and Development Studies specializing in Conflict, Peace, and Security, I, unfortunately, lack the financial means to undertake this indispensable opportunity.

My financial situation:

Unfortunately, due to my constrained finances, I do not have the means to attend this exceptional program. My family's financial situation has been fragile since 2011. My father's sudden death in April 2021 and the current Russian economic crisis have exacerbated this situation and ensured that my ability to afford this opportunity without external support was an impossible task. My life journey has made me remarkably resilient and exceptionally independent at a very young age. While these qualities are responsible for my academic, professional, and personal achievements, they also make it extremely difficult for me to request assistance, especially financial. However, because of the sense of duty that I feel to support the women of my country in feeling recognized, acknowledged, and empowered, I needed to make my passion speak louder than my fear to step out of my comfort zone. If you have any questions about my qualifications, financial situation, or motivation, please do not hesitate to connect with me.

Break down of the financial aid:

The costs listed below are informed by IHEID's estimated costs for prospective students, which can be found in this link: https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/fees-financial-aid. The expenses outlined reflect tuition costs for two years and living costs in Geneva for one year, as I intend to secure a part-time job in my second year to support my living costs.

The total amount in Canadian dollars: 36100*1.352=48807 CAD

Thank you for your time and consideration in reading my story. Any support would be very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Zoia Suleiman.