Yasmeen’s Journey began in 2015 when she stepped on the bus to Turkey. Since the start of the Syrian conflict, life in Syria started becoming difficult and dangerous, especially in Idlib. So she decided to follow her brother to Turkey and study pharmacy. She applied for many scholarships, and she finally got an interview for one. A few days after her interview, she was informed that she did not receive it. The feeling of disappointment left her determined rather than defeated. Yasmeen decided to remain in Turkey and work to save money and go to school. 

Soon after her arrival, her whole family followed her to Turkey. Yasmeen is one of six siblings, three boys, and three girls. Her family had to leave Syria because they were threatened they’d be arrested. 

Her first job was working as an Arabic and Quran teacher for Turkish kids, as well as a translator in a governmental office in Antakia. 

As she was working hard and saving her money, Yasmeen heard about the Karam Scholarship from one of her friends who had previously received the scholarship. She submitted an application and was granted the scholarship due to her excellent grades and impressive records. 

This year, Yasmeen graduated with a Pharmacy degree. She was an excellent student who received the highest score anyone has ever received in one of her classes; the whole university heard about it. “College life was bad in Syria, I was always on the run. Here, college is good, I feel safe.” 

Currently, Yasmeen works at a pharmacy in a small village: “It’s not the ideal place, I had to rent a small place to live in. This pharmacy was the only one that would take me as a trainee. All of the other pharmacies refused, simply for the fact that I am Syrian. The pharmacists said they are worried I am going to steal their customers in the future.” 

Her volunteer work throughout the years speaks to her dedication. Among those experiences, she was a volunteer in the Completion Initiative in Turkey for four years; at Humma Association in the Youth Empowerment Program, where she was responsible for supervising a group of medical specialists; and she is the founder and supervisor of the Pharmed Voluntary Team, a team that includes Arab pharmacy students and pharmacists in Turkey that aim to build influential and scientifically-distinguished pharmacies. 

A few years after moving to Turkey Yasmeen received her Turkish citizenship, but she still feels that she belongs to her home and her cause. The few things she misses the most are her best friend who still lives in Idlib, her neighborhood, and her school. 

Finally, Yasmeen said, “Throughout the 5 years, Karam changed my life completely. Not only through financial support but also through mental and physical support. Having us do volunteer work also shaped me into a better person. After thanking Allah, I thank Karam because I wouldn’t be here today without their support.”