From Sana’a to Paris: A refugee student’s scholarship journey
From Sana’a to Paris: A refugee student’s scholarship journey
Faniel, a 29-year-old Eritrean refugee born and raised in Sana’a, Yemen, on the bank of the River Seine in Paris, France.
When the email arrived, Faniel sat in silence for two hours. After months of waiting, the message confirmed what he had scarcely dared to hope for: he had been awarded a scholarship to study for a Master’s degree at Sciences Po in Paris.
“I told myself: ‘Thousands are applying, and many are more qualified’,” he said. “But as a refugee, you learn that you have nothing to lose by trying.”
Faniel, 29, is an Eritrean refugee born and raised in Yemen's capital, Sana’a. His parents fled Eritrea nearly four decades ago, arriving by boat in 1989 on the Red Sea coast of Yemen – a country that, today, is facing one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. UNHCR registered him shortly after his birth in 1996, and Yemen has remained the only home he has ever known.
Faniel sits in an empty lecture hall at the Sciences Po campus in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighbourhood of Paris.
Despite more than a decade of conflict and instability that has placed enormous strain on communities and public services, Yemen continues to host more than 63,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. Many have lived in the country for generations, facing limited economic opportunities and a shrinking protection space in one of the poorest countries in the region, with widespread humanitarian needs.
Within this context, Faniel pursued his education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunication Engineering, graduating with a score of 90 per cent. When a scholarship opportunity for refugees at Sciences Po became available, he met the academic, language and refugee-status requirements.
Yet one major obstacle remained.
From opportunity to reality
Like many refugees living in protracted displacement, Faniel did not hold the legal documentation required to travel internationally. Without a passport or recognized travel document, taking up the scholarship offer initially appeared impossible.
After he informed the university of his situation, Sciences Po contacted UNHCR in France to explore possible solutions. UNHCR Yemen then interviewed Faniel to assess his circumstances and identify the support required to enable him to take up the scholarship.
UNHCR offices in Yemen, Djibouti and France coordinated closely with the University Agency of the Francophonie (AUF) to resolve the legal and logistical barriers through the complementary pathway for education UNIV’R – a safe and regulated route that allows refugees to access higher education in France, outside traditional resettlement programmes.
Faniel in the Yemeni port city of Aden in September 2025 before his departure for Paris.
The process involved facilitating exit procedures from Sana’a, transferring Faniel to the port city of Aden to complete pre-registration with UNHCR, supporting the issuance of a travel document, and arranging onward travel to Djibouti. From there, with the timely support of French authorities, he obtained the necessary visa and documentation before continuing his journey to Paris.
“I felt that they believed in my potential,” Faniel said. “It was an incredible level of coordination that turned a very complex situation into a reality.”
First impressions
Faniel arrived in Paris in September 2025 for the start of term. “Sciences Po is very academically demanding, so I dedicate most of my time to studying, assignments, research and so on. It exceeded some of my expectations. The lecturers come from very diverse backgrounds, from many different countries.”
“Besides studies, I like to explore. It is my first time in Europe and my first time seeing a European city,” he said. “And not just any city – it’s one of the most beautiful and famous cities in the world.”
As he settled into his new life, he began taking long walks and exploring the city’s iconic landmarks. He visited the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Montmartre and the Arc de Triomphe.
The Louvre Museum is among the iconic Paris landmarks Faniel has visited on his frequent walks in the city.
“The Eiffel Tower left a very strong impression on me,” he said. “I climbed all the way to the top and saw the entire city spread out around me. It was unforgettable.”
At the Louvre, he encountered something unexpected.
“What was especially meaningful for me was discovering Yemeni statues and inscriptions in the museum,” he said. “That was something really nice to see.”
Staying connected to home
While adjusting to life in Paris, Faniel remains closely connected to his family in Yemen.
“My family is back in Sana’a,” he said – a city still affected by years of conflict and instability. “I have weekly video calls with them, and we also stay in touch through text messages and WhatsApp.”
He has also found a welcoming community in France. On weekends, he meets with other Yemenis and fellow refugees, often gathering to play football or spend time together – routines that help anchor daily life in a new environment.
Faniel works on his laptop in his student residence in Paris.
In recent months, he has experienced many firsts: walking through Paris during the Christmas season, visiting Christmas markets, welcoming the New Year on the Champs-Élysées, and seeing snow for the first time.
“Building a snowman is something I will never forget,” he said.
Looking ahead
Now specializing in International Development and Economy, Faniel plans to build on both his academic training and his experience of displacement. He hopes to work on issues related to displacement and development in the future.
His journey highlights how education, supported through complementary pathways, can provide refugees with safe and legal routes to pursue their potential.
“This journey is not just for me,” he said. “It’s for my family and for every refugee who dreams of a better future.”
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