Step by Step: Farah’s New Beginning in Serbia

When Farah arrived in Serbia nine years ago, she was just a teenager, newly uprooted from her home in Iraq. Everything around her felt unfamiliar — the language, the people, the way of life. “It wasn’t one big moment that changed things,” she says. “It was all the little steps that helped me believe in something better.”

Today, Farah is a student of dental prosthetics in Belgrade. She spends her days studying anatomy, practicing dental impressions and planning for the future — a future that once felt out of reach. Like many forcibly displaced people, she came with few possessions but carried with her strength, hope, and the desire to rebuild her life.

One of the items Farah treasures most is a simple pendant — a gift from her mother, with a symbol of protection. “It reminds me that I’m not alone, even when things are difficult,” she says.

Settling into a new country brought its share of challenges. Learning Serbian from scratch, navigating a different school system, and adjusting to cultural norms were all part of the process. But what made the biggest difference, Farah says, were the people who offered her a kind word, a helping hand, or simply the patience to let her find her footing.

“Belgrade is not just where I live. It’s where I dream, learn and grow.”

Farah’s story is one of many that illustrate both the resilience of refugees and the importance of inclusive societies. Many people forced to flee, like Farah, are building new lives in Serbia — pursuing education, contributing to their communities and dreaming of professional futures.

Farah is also a recipient of a DAFI scholarship — a higher education program for refugee students funded by the German Government with the support of the Danish Government and other private donors and foundations and implemented by UNHCR. The support has helped her pursue a demanding course of study in a language that was once entirely foreign to her.

Despite her progress, Farah knows that many other refugees continue to face obstacles. “It’s not always easy to be seen beyond your refugee past,” she says. “But if you give people a chance, they can surprise you.”

Her story is a reminder that inclusion is not just about policy — it’s about people. About the neighbors, classmates, teachers and colleagues who open doors, offer kindness and make someone feel at home.

Today, Farah’s message to others is one of gratitude and encouragement: “We all carry stories — of courage, change and hope. What we need is the chance to live them.”