From Gaza to Parramatta: How Students Escaping Global Conflicts Find a Pathway to Australian Universities

Weeks after the devastating events of October 7, 2023, Hala Alsammak stood in the ruins of Al-Azhar University in Gaza, a place that once thrived with students and dreams. Hala, who started her studies there after graduating from the Holy Family School in 2022, saw her father’s hard work as a biology teacher vanish in a matter of seconds.

After the Hamas attack on Israel, many places, including her former school, became shelters for those displaced by the conflict. Sadly, the school itself was bombed last July, tragically taking four lives.

“When the war hit, everything went silent,” Hala shared. She noted a stark change in warfare attitudes, saying, “Previously, places like universities were considered safe. But this time, everything was targeted.”

Two years later, Hala found herself reuniting with friends from her high school days, but in an unexpected location: Sydney, Australia. Western Sydney University (WSU) initiated a program for students fleeing conflict, directly responding to the dire situations in Palestine and beyond.

At 20, Hala didn’t expect to see her friends Tala Hakoura, 20, and Hala Idrees, 18, in class again. “What are you doing here?” Tala exclaimed with a mix of surprise and joy.

These three are part of a group of 35 Palestinian refugees involved in the program, which leads to undergraduate degrees. Several Australian universities, such as Flinders and the Australian Catholic University, have stepped up support for refugees since the onset of the war in Gaza.

According to a recent report by the UN, over 90% of educational facilities in Gaza have been destroyed, impacting more than 658,000 children who have missed 20 months of schooling.

Hala recalled the heartbreaking moment she had to leave her home during the conflict. “My family believed in staying together, even in the worst times. Leaving our home was the hardest thing we ever did,” she said. They left with hopes of returning soon, only to find their neighborhood destroyed shortly after.

After spending seven months in limbo in Egypt, Hala and her family arrived in Australia. She struggled to adapt. “We didn’t know anything about our new surroundings,” she shared. Eventually, WSU became her lifeline, offering her a path to a new beginning.

Hala and her friends are now preparing to start their undergraduate studies in July after completing their English course. For Hala Idrees, the journey has been tougher; her education was interrupted when her school was bombed, forcing her to finish her studies online from the West Bank. “I felt so isolated,” she recalled.

Tala, who’s been in Australia for a year without her mother and sister, echoed similar feelings. “It has been hard to focus,” she confessed, reflecting on the anxiety of waiting for peace. But she is determined. “I promised my family I would do my best in school.”

WSU’s vice-chancellor, Prof. George Williams, feels the emotional toll the war has had on many students. He mentioned the urgent need to respond to community distress, highlighting the role education can play in offering hope amidst chaos. “You can’t change geopolitics, but education can be a powerful tool,” he noted.

In a report by Times Higher Education, WSU was ranked first globally for its community impact. This recognition underscores its commitment to supporting diverse student populations and addressing social inequities.

Idrees plans to study medical science, while Tala considers business or occupational therapy. Hala is inspired to pursue music therapy or psychology, motivated by her experiences working with children affected by violence.

Reflecting on her unexpected journey, Hala remarked, “If someone had told me I’d be in Australia two years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. But now, I understand that anything is possible.”



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