On September 17, a group of 34 students were successfully evacuated from Gaza to the United Kingdom to commence their academic journeys. Many of these students had submitted their visa applications after I had sent in mine. When I learned of their departure, I felt a profound sense of relief and happiness for their safety and fresh opportunities. I remained hopeful, confident that my chance would soon arrive. However, when the subsequent evacuation list was released on September 29, I was devastated to find 17 additional names included-yet mine was absent.
I am not alone in this predicament. At least eight other students I know in Gaza, all recipients of prestigious scholarships to UK universities awarded months ago, have met every eligibility requirement set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) but remain unlisted for evacuation.
Our fully funded scholarships at top-tier UK institutions are now jeopardized-not due to any lack of support from our universities, but because of unexplained and inconsistent delays in the evacuation process. My program at the University of Birmingham officially began on September 29. My enrollment is fully confirmed, with tuition, living expenses, and accommodation covered through a Sanctuary Scholarship. Yet, I remain stranded in Gaza, awaiting a confirmation that never arrives.
When the first group departed, I encouraged myself and others left behind not to lose hope or compare our situations. The evacuation process had finally begun, offering a glimmer of optimism after months filled with applications, interviews, and constant anxiety. But the next list, containing only 17 names, brought disbelief. None of the early applicants still waiting were included. Instead, those contacted were students who had applied weeks after us, some even days before their evacuation.
I find myself constantly refreshing my phone, day and night, sleeping with it close by in case the government’s email arrives. My university, Member of Parliament, and solicitor have all assured me that I meet every eligibility criterion. I have completed all forms and cleared every hurdle. All necessary documents have been submitted repeatedly to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Home Office. My admission is secured, funding guaranteed, and accommodation booked, all awaiting my arrival. There is no missing paperwork or unresolved issues. Still, I wait.
While further evacuation waves may occur, each subsequent list is likely to include fewer names. My fellow students and I face a shrinking window of opportunity. With every passing day, the risk grows that our scholarships-and our futures-will slip away.
This experience has exposed a troubling lack of clarity in how evacuation candidates are selected. Why are students who applied later prioritized? How are some applications expedited so rapidly that their names appear on evacuation lists mere days after submission? Why do others, like mine, seem to be overlooked? Despite fulfilling every requirement, why am I left behind without explanation?
No one-neither universities, MPs, nor solicitors familiar with the process-can provide answers. The system remains opaque, leaving me to wonder if I am being pushed further down the queue with each update. The greatest fear shared by all waiting students is that this pattern will continue: new applicants prioritized while those of us who applied earlier face indefinite delays. Without transparency or accountability, we are powerless in a process we cannot comprehend or contest.
The psychological strain of this limbo is hard to convey. Each morning begins with the same routine: checking my phone and email repeatedly, hoping for news. The day drags on as I hear from friends abroad about their classes starting, while I remain stuck in uncertainty, my aspirations on hold. Each night ends with my phone beside me, hoping to be remembered while I sleep. The atmosphere here is thick with frustration, disappointment, and despair. Every day of delay is not just lost time-it is a step closer to losing my place and the chance to pursue education far from the conflict. For many of us, this is not merely a postponement but a gradual erasure of our future-the sole lifeline to rebuild our lives and heal from trauma.
The University of Birmingham has been supportive, persistently advocating on my behalf with the relevant authorities. Yet, their influence has limits. If I cannot depart soon, the consequences will be dire. These scholarships are time-sensitive. Missing the academic year’s start could mean losing the funding altogether. Although my housing is secured and paid for, failure to arrive on time will result in forfeiting my place. These are highly competitive programs at world-class universities. I earned this opportunity through years of perseverance amid siege and bombardment, competing against international candidates. To lose it now due to bureaucratic silence would be devastating. The Sanctuary Scholarship and similar initiatives exist to show solidarity and prove that education can be a beacon of hope for those in conflict zones.
I am not seeking special favors-only that my visa application be processed. I have fulfilled every requirement and submitted all documents. What remains absent is transparency regarding the criteria for evacuation prioritization. Why are some students moved ahead while others with identical qualifications are ignored? Without answers, I am left disheartened and exhausted. Without urgent intervention, I fear my future will be erased.
Time is running out. In my latest communication with the university, I was warned that if I do not arrive by the 17th of this month, I will lose the place I fought so hard to secure-and with it, the future I have struggled for through war, loss, and sacrifice. I implore those with the power to act: please do not let silence destroy our futures.
