“UoPeople gave me a chance to continue my education and pursue my dreams,” Says Nurul A., a Business Administration Student

For Nurul A., education represents far more than earning a degree—it represents hope.

A Rohingya refugee living in the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, Nurul is currently earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at University of the People. Despite the hardships of refugee life, he continues to pursue his education with determination, believing it can help create a better future not only for himself, but for his entire community.

Born in Rathedaung Township in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, Nurul’s childhood was shaped by discrimination and uncertainty. As a member of the Rohingya community, he was denied citizenship, freedom of movement, and equal access to educational opportunities.

Despite these barriers, he remained committed to learning and completed his high school education at Maung Daw High School.

In 2017, at the age of 24, Nurul was forced to flee Myanmar and seek refuge in Bangladesh. Today, he continues to face the daily realities of life in a refugee camp, including financial hardship, limited access to electricity and the internet, and uncertainty about the future.

“My greatest challenge has been statelessness,” Nurul says. “Living without citizenship and freedom of movement changes every part of your life.”

Yet he has never allowed those challenges to extinguish his desire to learn.

One evening, while browsing the internet on a shared mobile phone, Nurul came across UoPeople. Discovering a tuition-free, accredited American university that welcomed students from all backgrounds felt like an opportunity he never imagined possible.

“I was excited to discover a university that welcomed students like me,” he says. “It gave me a chance to continue my education and pursue my dreams.”

His experience at UoPeople has been encouraging from the very beginning.

“The registration process was smooth, and the support I received exceeded my expectations,” he says.

For Nurul, one of the university’s greatest strengths is its flexibility. Life in the refugee camp is unpredictable, making a traditional education difficult to pursue. UoPeople’s online model allows him to study whenever circumstances permit, often after completing his daily responsibilities.

“I appreciate being able to study at my own pace,” he says. “Most nights, I study after finishing my daily work.”

He also values the university’s inclusive learning environment and the opportunity to connect with peers from around the world.

“The peer-to-peer learning environment and the sense of belonging have been very meaningful to me,” he explains.

Even while pursuing his own education, Nurul remains deeply committed to serving others. Inside the refugee camp, he teaches Mathematics and History at Life Goal Community High School and serves as a mentor teacher with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Outside the classroom, he enjoys reading, singing, and writing stories that preserve the experiences, struggles, and resilience of the Rohingya people.

Although life in the camp remains challenging, Nurul continues to persevere. Frequent power outages and periods of unrest often force him to study late into the night, sometimes by candlelight.

“My family and community believe in me,” he says. “I feel responsible for carrying their hopes and dreams.”

Looking ahead, Nurul hopes to use his Business Administration degree to support underserved communities and advocate for stateless people. One of his dreams is to establish a community business administration center that provides opportunities and support for refugees while also becoming a voice for displaced communities in global conversations.

Above all, he believes education is the foundation for meaningful change.

“Education is the key to changing my life and creating a better future,” he says.

Despite extraordinary circumstances, Nurul continues to pursue his dreams with courage, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. His journey is an inspiring reminder that hope can flourish even in the most difficult of circumstances, and we wish him every success as he continues building a brighter future for himself and his community.