How UoPeople Helped Me Build a Future at the Intersection of Technology and Humanitarian Work

I was born in 1995 in Kalakchi, Duhok, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, a region shaped by war and instability. In 2016, I moved to Greece as a refugee. Starting over in a new country was difficult, but I was determined to build a meaningful future.

Over time, I became an interpreter and cultural mediator, supporting refugees in camps across Greece and working with organizations including FRONTEX, IOM, and METAdrasi. At the same time, I was pursuing another goal: earning a Computer Science degree from University of the People.

Today, I am a graduate, a published author, and a humanitarian professional. My experiences have shaped my belief that technology and education can be powerful tools for creating opportunities and supporting communities in need.

Finding a Way to Continue My Education

As a refugee living in Greece, I had limited access to traditional universities. I was also working full time, which made pursuing a conventional degree even more difficult.

I chose UoPeople because its flexible and affordable model gave me a realistic way to continue my education. Its mission of making higher education accessible to people around the world, including refugees, strongly resonated with me.

I wanted to study Computer Science, and UoPeople helped me to pursue that goal while continuing my professional responsibilities.

Studying While Supporting Other Refugees

Balancing work and university was challenging, but UoPeople’s flexibility made it possible.

I appreciated being able to continue working while studying and managing my other responsibilities. Just as important was the university’s international community. My classmates came from around the world, exposing me to different perspectives and giving me a broader understanding of the world beyond my own experiences.

The online format took some time to get used to, but peer feedback and discussion forums helped create a sense of connection and supported my learning.

Overall, my experience was both challenging and deeply rewarding.

Turning My Computer Science Education Into Social Impact

My degree has opened new professional possibilities and strengthened my confidence to pursue work at the intersection of technology and humanitarian service.

My experience as an interpreter and cultural mediator gave me a firsthand understanding of the challenges refugees and underserved communities face. My Computer Science education has given me another set of tools to think about how technology can respond to those challenges.

I now want to develop technology-based solutions that can support refugees and communities in need.

For me, technology is not simply about building software. It can be a way to improve access to information, create opportunities, and address problems that affect people’s everyday lives.

Finding My Voice Through Writing

Writing has also played an important role in my journey.

I have published several books, including Blue People and The Story of a Middle Eastern Guy in Europe. My writing explores identity, war, displacement, and the search for freedom—experiences and questions that have shaped my own life.

Writing allows me to share perspectives and experiences that are often difficult to communicate in other ways. Alongside my work in humanitarian support and technology, it has become another way for me to contribute to conversations about displacement, identity, and belonging.

What Education Has Taught Me

My journey has taken me from Iraq to Greece, from displacement to higher education, and from supporting refugees as an interpreter to preparing for a future in technology.

Earning my degree gave me more than academic knowledge. It strengthened my confidence and provided the foundation I need to pursue more advanced opportunities in both technology and humanitarian work.

My experience has also reinforced my belief that education should be accessible to people regardless of their circumstances. For someone like me, UoPeople provided a way to keep moving forward when a traditional university path was difficult to access.

Building a Future With Purpose

My goal is to continue combining my language skills, humanitarian experience, and Computer Science education to help refugees and underserved communities.

I want to build technology-based solutions that respond to real needs and create greater access to opportunities and information.

My journey has been shaped by war, displacement, work, education, and writing. Each experience has given me a different perspective on what it means to build a life after being forced to start over.

I believe education can change lives. I want to use what I have learned to help create that change for others.

About the Author

Mohammed R. was born in Kalakchi, Duhok, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and moved to Greece as a refugee in 2016. He earned his Computer Science degree from University of the People while working as an interpreter and cultural mediator supporting refugees in Greece. He has worked with several humanitarian organizations while authoring Blue People and The Story of a Middle Eastern Guy in Europe. He hopes to combine technology, language, and humanitarian experience to develop solutions that support refugees and underserved communities.