My story from Herat to Cardiff
After the Taliban take over in a blink of an eye, I lost everything. I lost my job, my identity, my friends, and had to flee the country that I wanted to build.My name is Shahira Shahir. I am a DMan student (Gender studies and human capital management). 8 months ago, I was a lecturer of economics at Herat University western province of Afghanistan. I used to work for 12 hours per day, I had my car, my own office, and dozens of students. My life as an educated woman was not perfect, but I worked hard to achieve what I
had in Afghanistan.My parents are both academic people; my mother teaches arts at the same university as I teach, and my father used to teach law, I grew up with books of arts, science, and philosophy in my home, however, that environment did not make the journey any easier for me, as a woman I had to fight hard for my goals and dreams not only with the patriarchal society but with my own family too.Despite all the restrictions, I managed to pursue my dreams and complete my higher education to get my dream job, which was teaching. Being a young and unmarried teacher in that society was another challenge for me. Most of my colleagues who were men and older than me could not accept me in that position; sometimes, I used to hear that they questioned even my teaching methods.However, I was happy, independent and most importantly I was with my family. After the Taliban took over in a blink of an eye, I lost everything. I lost my job, my identity, and my friends and I had to flee the country that I wanted to build.I am grateful to Cardiff Metropolitan University and the Council for At-Risk Academics organisation that provided me with the scholarship to have this opportunity to continue my career in a safe and professional environment in the UK, but I must say I am not able to focus on my research like any other student as I have so many things behind, like my family and my students. I still get calls and messages from my student that how helpless they feel, and how the whole university is empty of lectures. The takeaway positive message I have from my story is that this opportunity is life-
changing for me as an Afghan woman studying in the UK it will increase my knowledge and build up my confidence to continue my career in academia.
