“Your status is temporary, but your humanity, abilities, and potential are permanent” – Niyomugaba, Burundian refugee in Rwanda

My name is Odile Niyomugaba, 27 years old. I was born in Burundi, but in 2015 my family and I fled due to instability and violence. It was one of the hardest experiences of my life.

Adapting to the new environment in Mahama refugee camp in Rwanda was challenging, as everything felt unfamiliar.

I had just started my third year in high school back home, but when I joined school in the camp, everything was different. The lessons were taught in English, a language I barely understood, and I struggled to follow anything the teachers said. I often sat in class feeling defeated, wondering if there was any point in continuing my education. It was hard to concentrate on my studies because my mind was always heavy with worry about our situation and what the future might hold.

I couldn’t imagine completing secondary school, let alone dreaming of university.

Life in the camp was extremely difficult. My mother was struggling to meet even the most basic needs like food, clothes, shoes, and other materials I needed as a girl. Sometimes I went to school hungry. There were days when it hurt me deeply to see her with a heavy heart and tears in her eyes. I even thought of giving up because learning on an empty stomach, while worrying about food and clothing made everything feel impossible.

But over time, I slowly began to find strength through the people around me and the supportive communities in the camp that helped me heal emotionally. Support from community programs, humanitarian organizations, and my mother’s encouragement slowly helped me rebuild my confidence.

So, despite fear, doubt, and countless obstacles, I kept going step by step, exam by exam, until I could see that maybe, just maybe, I could turn my dreams into reality.

After finishing secondary school, I faced a major obstacle: limited access to technology and a lack of digital literacy. A student had helped me create an email account and apply for a university scholarship, but I didn’t fully understand the process and eventually forgot the password.

Four months later, a friend asked why I hadn’t pursued higher education like others. When I shared my story, she helped me reset the email, and we discovered that I had actually been granted a scholarship but because I hadn’t accepted it on time, the offer was cancelled. That experience was heart-breaking, but it motivated me to improve my digital skills and seek educational opportunities online.

Later, I was privileged to attend university thanks to a DAFI scholarship programme. I completed my undergraduate studies at Kigali Independent University in December 2024, graduating with a degree in International Relations. The full DAFI scholarship covered registration and tuition fees, and I also received a monthly allowance to cover accommodation, transportation, food, and other expenses related to my daily subsistence. Without this support, I couldn’t have attended university.

My Journey to the University of Oxford

After completing my thesis, I began searching for master’s programs. That’s when I discovered Graduate Horizons, a global application support programme run by the Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH) at the University of Oxford. I was selected to attend their sessions, gained essential skills and guidance, and applied to several universities. By God’s grace, I was awarded a full scholarship to Oxford.

When I received the news that I had been accepted to Oxford, I felt a whirlwind of emotions; disbelief, joy, gratitude, and even a little fear all at once. I remember sitting down and rereading the acceptance email several times, as if reading it once wouldn’t make it real.

At the same time, I felt a profound sense of responsibility. This acceptance wasn’t just about me; it was for my family, my community, and all the young refugees who dare to dream of education despite the obstacles.

Arriving at Oxford University in October was overwhelming and unforgettable.

For someone who grew up in a refugee camp, where daily life was defined by uncertainty and scarcity, walking through Oxford’s historic halls felt almost dreamlike, like stepping into a world I had never dared to imagine.

I am now happy to be studying a Master of Philosophy in International Relations in the department of politics and international relations, a field that I have always been passionate about because it connects directly to the challenges I grew up witnessing in Mahama.

My goal is not just to excel academically, but to use what I learn to make a tangible impact. I want to design and implement initiatives that improve access to education, advocate for human rights, and create opportunities for young people in refugee settings who might otherwise feel hopeless about their futures.

To other young refugees who are studying or dreaming of higher education, I want to say this: never give up on your dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. Your status is temporary, but your humanity, your abilities, and your potential are permanent.

To the people that support refugee education, I want to say thank you from the deepest part of my heart. Your support restores our hope where it was once lost. You are helping young people like me believe again and despite war, displacement, and hardship, our dreams are still valid and our futures still possible.

Every workshop, every mentorship program, every scholarship you create plants a seed of transformation. Your support doesn’t just touch individuals. It uplifts entire communities. When one refugee gets an education, they carry knowledge, inspiration, and opportunities back to others.