Ahmet Alhadban, the 2021 recipient of the Syrian Scholars Initiative (SSI) scholarship provided by JICUF and ICU, will graduate from ICU with a bachelor’s degree. As he was accepted to ICU during the midst of the pandemic, he had to delay his matriculation for six months, and enrolled in spring 2022. We asked him to reflect on his journey and how ICU has impacted him.

My name is Ahmet Alhadban. I come from a refugee background and was honored to be selected as a 2022 Syrian Scholars Initiative recipient awarded by JICUF. Before that, I lived in Turkiye for 7 years, and had a job. Some might be wondering, why did I choose to leave it all, apply for SSI, and relocate to Japan to finish my studies? The reason is simple, AMBITION. I always believed that education is essential, and I aimed, when I was younger, to at least visit Japan. Now, as I am  completing my studies at ICU, I find myself reflecting on how much I have changed since the day I first arrived in Japan.

Over the past four years, I experienced many meaningful moments. One of the most memorable was participating in the International Day organized by JICUF during the ICU Festival 2024. I had the opportunity to present my culture, share traditional cuisine, and introduce my language. At the same time, I was able to explore many other cultures and connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Academic interactions at ICU are part of daily university life, but experiencing cultural exchange in such an open and celebratory setting made it especially meaningful. It reminded me of the importance of dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

While my time at ICU was filled with meaningful experiences, it also came with challenges that shaped my growth. Attending many classes in Japanese required continuous effort and pushed me to improve my language skills so that I could communicate more confidently and participate fully in academic discussions. In addition, coming from a background where social relationships and family bonds are central to daily life, adjusting to a more independent environment was initially difficult. However, over time, I built meaningful connections and gradually found a sense of belonging.

In the near future, I plan to remain in Japan and begin my professional career. I have received a job offer from a Japanese company, which I have accepted. My time at ICU strengthened my understanding of the value of education and continuous development. After gaining several years of work experience, I plan to pursue a master’s degree while continuing to work. In the long term, I hope to use the knowledge and experience I acquire to contribute to communities that may benefit from it, including my home country, Syria.

Congratulations, Ahmet! We wish you all the best.