When Farid Ahmadi stepped onto the University of Regina campus last September, the 23-year-old carried more than just textbooks and class schedules. The weight of his journey from Afghanistan – fleeing Taliban persecution, navigating refugee status in Pakistan, and finally landing in Saskatchewan – has shaped his perspective on what many students take for granted: the simple freedom to learn.
“In Kabul, I was studying engineering when the Taliban took control. Overnight, everything changed,” Farid told me during our conversation at the university’s bustling student center. “My family received threats because my father had worked with international organizations. We had no choice but to leave.”
Farid’s story reflects the growing community of Afghan students finding refuge in Canadian universities since the 2021 Taliban takeover. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, over 40,000 Afghans have been resettled in Canada since August 2021, with Saskatchewan welcoming approximately 600 refugees, many of whom are young people with disrupted education.
The University of Regina launched its Afghan Student Scholarship Initiative last year, providing tuition assistance and living stipends to students like Farid. Dr. Melissa Peterson, the university’s International Student Services Director, explains the program emerged from faculty advocacy and community support.
“What strikes me about students like Farid is their resilience,” Peterson said. “They’ve faced tremendous trauma, yet show up eager to learn. It’s a powerful reminder of education’s transformative potential.”
For Farid, the transition brought both relief and challenges. Saskatchewan’s prairie landscape bears little resemblance to mountainous Afghanistan. Winter temperatures dipping below -30°C tested his resolve. More difficult was navigating cultural differences while processing trauma and separation from family members who remain in Pakistan awaiting resettlement.
“The first months were lonely. I questioned if I belonged here,” Farid admitted. “But people in Regina have been incredibly welcoming. My English professor spent extra hours helping improve my writing. My neighbor taught me to shovel snow and invited me for holiday meals.”
The Regina Open Door Society has played a crucial role in supporting students like Farid. Settlement counselor Amina Chaudhry notes that educational continuity represents more than academic achievement for refugee students.
“Education provides stability during upheaval,” Chaudhry explained. “For many Afghan students, their identity was tied to their studies. Resuming education helps rebuild that sense of self and purpose.”
This educational lifeline extends beyond campus. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education allocated $275,000 in emergency funding for displaced international students last fiscal year, recognizing education’s role in successful integration.
Deputy Minister Shannon Evans noted in a recent statement: “Supporting refugee students aligns with our provincial growth plan. These students bring valuable perspectives to our classrooms and eventually to our workforce.”
Indeed, Farid has already contributed to campus life by establishing a student group connecting newcomers with local students. The weekly gatherings feature cultural exchanges, study sessions, and discussions about adapting to Canadian society.
“What surprised me most was how interested Canadian students were in learning about Afghanistan beyond the headlines,” Farid said. “They want to understand our culture, food, and traditions. These friendships have made Regina feel more like home.”
Local families have embraced students like Farid through community initiatives. The Regina Intercultural Host Program matched Farid with the Peterson family, who invited him to experience quintessential Saskatchewan activities – from watching Roughriders games to ice fishing.
“Having a local connection makes all the difference,” said Lisa Peterson, who hosts monthly dinners for international students. “Farid has become like family. My children have learned more about global citizenship from him than any classroom could teach.”
Faculty members have noticed the positive impact Afghan students bring to campus discussions. Professor James Wilson, who teaches international relations, observed: “Students like Farid bring lived experience to theoretical discussions about global politics. Their presence enriches everyone’s education.”
Data from the University of Regina shows promising outcomes. Retention rates for refugee students in the special program exceed 92%, comparable to domestic students despite additional challenges. Academic performance metrics show similar success, with most maintaining strong grade point averages.
Now in his second semester studying computer science, Farid focuses on developing skills he believes will help rebuild his homeland someday.
“Technology connects people across borders,” he explained. “I hope to develop platforms that provide education to those still in Afghanistan, especially girls who are now banned from schools.”
The road ahead remains uncertain. Farid’s student visa provides temporary stability, but the path to permanent residency requires navigating complex immigration systems. The university’s legal aid clinic has stepped in to assist students with these processes.
“The most difficult part is planning for a future when you can’t predict what will happen to your family or country,” Farid said, glancing at his phone where he keeps photos of relatives left behind. “But education gives me something certain to focus on.”
As winter yields to prairie spring, Farid finds himself increasingly at home in Saskatchewan. He recently joined a campus soccer team and volunteers teaching computer basics to senior citizens at a community center.
“What I’ve learned is that building a new life happens one day at a time,” he reflected. “Each class, each new friend, each small victory moves you forward.”
For universities across Canada grappling with how to respond to global displacement, Regina’s program offers a compelling model. What began as an emergency response has evolved into a sustainable initiative that transforms lives while enriching campus communities.
As Farid puts it: “Education is something no one can take from you. Even when you lose everything else, what you’ve learned stays with you. That’s why this opportunity means everything.”
