A New Path Forward

Displaced female Afghan students begin studies at DePaul University

When the political situation in Afghanistan deteriorated last year, countless citizen lives were upended. For many women, in particular, who lost access to hard-won rights and education seemingly overnight, the outlook was grim.

However, one such group of women has begun to forge a new path at DePaul University. This past winter, the school officially welcomed ten displaced female students to join a new program designed to help them move forward–-both academically, and as new U.S. immigrants.

“These students came to us with great trauma from their experiences,” said GianMario Besana, DePaul’s Associate Provost for Global Engagement and Online Learning. “In addition to taking English language classes and preparing to become full-time DePaul students, they’ve also been receiving mental health services on campus and working with their designated attorneys to assist with their asylum cases. It’s been amazing to see them get adjusted and blossom over the past few months.”

The DePaul students are part of a larger group of 158 young women participating in similar programs across the country. In Chicago, the DePaul students are also receiving wraparound support from the refugee assistance organization Refugee One to facilitate things like healthcare, signing up for public benefits and Medicaid, opening bank accounts, and applying for work permits.

On campus, they have been welcomed into DePaul’s residence and dining halls, and provided with personal items, housewares, and technology necessary to be comfortable in their new accommodations. Veteran DePaul students are also acting as peer mentors, helping the displaced students make connections on and off campus, and hosting meals and holiday programs to make the newcomers feel at home.

“For Ramadan, a faculty member hosted some of the women for a break-the-fast meal in their home,” said Besana. “There was a very intense emotional moment when they had this recognition of now being in a space that affirmed their religious identity in a distinctly American way, recognizing that they can be both American and Muslim. It was really lovely.”

Academically, the students all started out as part of DePaul’s English Language Academy (ELA), participating in a special program developed just for them by ELA’s expert faculty to help them learn the language while they adjust to American campus life. As they’ve each progressed at their own pace, the students have slowly begun to matriculate into DePaul’s regular degree programs, beginning individualized courses of study in their unique areas of interest.

Over the summer, many of the students have also begun part-time jobs, including working at stores and as babysitters. “I’m very excited to start university classes next year,” said one of the students, who preferred to remain anonymous for safety concerns related to her asylum case. “I want to study law. I am so happy to have this great opportunity to become successful, and help people–especially women and children.”

The student also added that while the first few months of her studies were challenging, the immense support of the program and campus community helped her get through it. “The lessons in the first and second term were a big challenge because I had depression,” she said. “All I wanted to do at the time was be alone and sleep. But it helped to be studying with other international students and have wonderful teachers. I am optimistic about my future now.”