Hajar Al Nabilsi
Bachelor of Science, University of British Columbia
After spending more than eleven years in the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan, Hajar arrived at UBC carrying resilience, hope, and a belief in the power of education to transform lives.
For Hajar, the journey to UBC began long before lecture halls, assignments, and campus life. It began in Jordan, where she spent over eleven years living in the Zaatari Refugee Camp. Growing up there shaped not only her understanding of hardship, but also her determination to build a better future.
Despite the challenges of life in the camp, she remained deeply committed to her education. That determination led her to achieve the first rank in the camp- an accomplishment that opened a life changing door. Through the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program, she received a full scholarship to study at UBC.
Coming to UBC was more than starting university. It was the beginning of a new chapter marked by hope, independence, and purpose.
One of the moments that continues to shape her most happened before she ever arrived in Canada: teaching English to children in Zaatari. That experience showed her how deeply education can empower others and spark change. It also planted the values she continues to carry with her today.
Arriving in Canada, however, was not without challenges. A new country brought a new culture, a new academic system, and a new sense of uncertainty. There were moments when she questioned where she belonged. But over time, she found support in the people around her friends, professors, and mentors who reminded her that growth does not have to happen all at once.
Through that transition, she discovered her own resilience in a deeper way. She learned how to adapt, how to lead, and how to trust herself. Today, those lessons shape how she moves through student life, not only in pursuit of academic excellence, but also in the compassion she brings to others.
For Hajar, home is no longer defined by one place alone.
“Home is more than a place,” she says. “It’s the people, the values, and the sense of purpose that stay with me wherever I go.”
She stays connected to where she comes from by speaking Arabic, celebrating cultural traditions, and sharing her story with others. That sense of connection also shows up in the way she gives back on campus. Through her work with WUSC UBC and as a Vantage Peer Mentor, she helps other students feel seen, supported, and less alone in their own transitions.
Looking back, what makes her proudest is not just how far she has come, but what that journey has taught her. From growing up in a refugee camp to studying at one of the world’s top universities, her story is a reminder that hardship and hope can exist side by side, and that courage often begins quietly.
Her message to other students is simple, but powerful:
“Never underestimate the power of your perseverance. Even when life feels uncertain, hold on to your purpose, because the path you’re walking today may be the one that changes your life tomorrow.”
Bring your friends!!