Crafting a Future, One Step at a Time: Abdullah’s Journey Through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
Crafting a Future, One Step at a Time: Abdullah’s Journey Through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
When Abdullah arrived in Türkiye with his family in 2013, he was a young boy facing an unfamiliar language, a new education system and an uncertain future. More than a decade later, he is pursuing a career in dental prosthetics and building the skills needed to shape his future through technical and vocational education, with the support of the DAFI scholarship.
“The first years were difficult because I didn’t speak Turkish well,” Abdullah recalls. “Making friends and adapting to a new environment took time.” At first, language barriers affected his academic performance, and interruptions caused by health issues and the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated his education journey. Despite these obstacles, he remained determined to continue his studies. As his language skills improved, so did his grades and confidence. By high school, he had found his footing and begun thinking seriously about his future.
Initially, Abdullah dreamed of becoming a dentist. While dentistry remained an aspiration, financial considerations led him to explore alternative pathways that would allow him to gain practical skills and enter the labour market more quickly. When he learned about the Dental Prosthetics programme at İstanbul Cerrahpaşa University, he saw an opportunity to stay connected to the healthcare field while developing technical expertise.
Today, Abdullah is studying Dental Prosthetics and has discovered a genuine passion for the profession. When discussing his favourite classes, he says he enjoys all of them, though he particularly values the hands-on experience offered by laboratory sessions. “I enjoy working with my hands and creating things. After starting the programme, I realised that this field suits me well.”
For Abdullah, one of the greatest advantages of technical and vocational education is its practical nature. “Technical education gives you practical skills and a profession,” he explains. “It allows you to develop yourself and create opportunities for the future.”
As a recipient of the DAFI scholarship, Abdullah has been able to focus more on his studies and reduce some of the financial pressures associated with university life. The scholarship helps cover transportation and other education-related expenses, enabling him to continue his academic journey with greater stability while studying away from his family.
Abdullah encourages other young refugees in similar circumstances to apply for the DAFI scholarship and pursue their education. He also believes it is important for students to choose a field they are genuinely passionate about.
Beyond his studies, Abdullah also values contributing to his community. He has volunteered in initiatives supporting elderly people and participated in youth engagement activities organized by partners supporting refugee students.
Looking ahead, Abdullah hopes to build a professional career using the technical skills he is acquiring. While he recognizes that building a career takes time and persistence, he remains optimistic about the opportunities that technical and vocational education can create. “I see this programme as a step forward,” he says. “I hope to build my own business one day.”
Looking back on his journey, Abdullah sees education as one of the most important factors in helping him build his future. He has a simple message for other young refugees considering technical and vocational education: “If you find a field that matches your interests and abilities, don’t be afraid to pursue it. The skills you gain can open many doors.”
Technical and vocational higher education includes nationally accredited associate degree and diploma programmes across fields such as health, engineering, information technology, applied sciences, and other labour market-relevant disciplines. Through DAFI scholarships, UNHCR supports refugees’ access to these programmes, helping them develop professional and technical skills aligned with current and emerging labour market needs. This contributes to their transition from higher education to employment and supports their longer-term socio-economic inclusion. Sustained collaboration with host-country institutions, higher education authorities, universitiesand private sector partners is essential to expand refugees’ access to quality, employment-oriented higher education opportunities.
Continued funding for DAFI is critical to ensure that more refugee students can begin and complete their studies, and individuals and organizations can contribute through donations to support these life-changing scholarships. DAFI programme has supported over 27,200 scholars to access higher education in their countries of asylum since 1992 through the support of German Government, Denmark Government, foundations and private sector donors.