The Glasgow Guardian speaks to Palestinian student Ibrahim Alghorane after his first year at the University of Glasgow
“I learned I need to wear nine layers” says Ibrahim Alghorane, recalling his first trip to Aviemore where he saw snow for the first time. Ibrahim is a first-year software engineering student at the University of Glasgow, whose journey to get here from Gaza was arduous to say the least.
Describing his trip to Aviemore, he remarks on how he wished he “could live in the highlands forever”, reflecting on the peace they offer, one which contrasts with his life at home in Gaza, enduring occupation, genocide and illness.
Ibrahim lost his father to heart disease before the genocide began, but by 8 October 2023, his house, home and everything with it was destroyed, he tells The Glasgow Guardian. Ibrahim, his mother, and five siblings were forced to live in a tent, which he described as “a daily test of patience”, offering little refuge under constant bombardment and constant threat to their lives.
Israel’s relentless airstrikes and ground offensives reduced their lives to “day by day, minute by minute” existence with few guarantees, as hunger, too, began to set in. On top of all that, Ibrahim and his siblings suffered the loss of their mother to brain cancer. She was able to leave Gaza for medical treatment in Egypt, but was unable to pull through. Only Ibrahim’s sister was with her when she passed away.
Alongside the cruel conditions he found himself in, Ibrahim remained steadfast in his dream of higher education. A dream which had begun with his score of 97% in the Scientific Stream in the Palestinian Tawjihi exams, placing him among the top 20 students in all of Palestine.
He set about applying to the University of Glasgow, with the lack of internet service in Gaza compelling Ibrahim to go close to the Israeli forces in attempts to secure a connection. While incredibly dangerous, Ibrahim continued to do so “because I want to be a human. I want to be a human again.” and not let his future in education disappear.
However, the successful application only revealed more impediments, as the visa and enrollment fees threatened to close the doors to this opportunity. The University of Glasgow offers just one undergraduate scholarship for Palestinian students, the Dima Al-Haj Scholarship, but despite Ibrahim’s unsuccessful application, he started an online campaign.
The campaign gained traction amongst various groups within Glasgow but Ibrahim recalls his surprise with its success, as he constantly questioned why people were so willing to help.
Ibrahim hesitates to refer to himself as strong, instead saying he had little choice but to keep fighting. However, this determination resulted in a fully funded scholarship to the University of Glasgow. At first, this result did not feel real as he threw his phone away in surprise, realising he now had an “opportunity to build [his] future again.” Arriving in Glasgow, Ibrahim talks about his surprise at the friendliness displayed by the Glaswegians. Many still recognise and stop him on the street, all with kind words or a desire to help in any way. “The weather may be cold, but the warmth of the people makes it an amazing place to be.”
