Alaa Alsewid

I am originally from Syria and I joined the humanitarian field 10 years ago when I was just 16 years old in 2011 – right when the crisis in my country began. I began volunteering with an NGO to help internally displaced people who fled their homes to seek shelter in schools at that time – we provided food, clothes, and basic education to children. I started studying engineering at university but I realised it wasn’t the career for me. I was really keen to make a difference in my own community, especially in the lives of other young people who had huge ambitions and goals. So I began organising social events – I led a team of 41 volunteers to organise Startup Weekend Homs. After I graduated as an engineer, I managed to get a Chevening Scholarship in 2019 to do a Masters in Media and Public relations in the UK. When it became apparent I couldn’t go back to Syria, I sought asylum and finally got my refugee status in early 2021 – it was one of the happiest moments of my life. Although I miss my family, I’m proud of how far I have come. And now here I am as an intern with UNHCR to continue pursuing my dreams!