I embarked on a journey as a high school student and continued my studies with distinction during my military service as a combat soldier. This journey, which began with a simple desire to explore my abilities and aspirations, took me much farther than I could have imagined. Today, I stand on the verge of a new adventure: I have been accepted into a direct PhD track in Computer Science. When I look back, I realize that my life is divided into two parts: before the Open University, and after it. Here, I discovered the world of academia, a world I am very passionate about.

I am a Muslim Arab and come from a traditional and religious family. As a daughter of disabled parents, I could not study unless I could work and earn a living. I found a higher education institution that would embrace me, provide me with tools, and also allow me to study remotely at my convenience, without entrance requirements, and with university-level tuition. I insisted on fulfilling my dream and enrolled in the program. After receiving my degree, I realized that there is no such thing as "impossible." With optimism, determination, and hard work, one can succeed and reach new heights

As a resident of the north, a mother of three, and a full-time employee, I had limited options for pursuing a Master's degree. In my role, I manage two resilience centers in the northern conflict zone, serving approximately half a million people. Since the October 7 attack, we have been supporting displaced residents of the north, helping them rebuild their daily lives far from home. My motto is to find hope in adversity, which brings the will to change and the aspiration for a better future