The email arrived, and Faniel sat in silence for two hours. After months of anticipation, the message confirmed what he had barely dared to hope for: he had been awarded a scholarship for a master’s degree at Sciences Po Paris.
A Dream Against All Odds
“I told myself: thousands of people apply, and many are more qualified than me,” he confides. “But as a refugee, you learn that you have nothing to lose by trying.”
Faniel, 29, is an Eritrean refugee born and raised in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. His parents fled Eritrea nearly forty years ago, arriving by boat on the Red Sea coast in 1989. Today, Yemen faces one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Registered by UNHCR shortly after his birth in 1996, Faniel has never known any country other than Yemen.
Despite more than a decade of conflict and instability that has strained communities and public services, Yemen continues to host over 63,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. Many have lived in the country for generations, facing limited economic opportunities and an increasingly restricted protection space. Humanitarian needs are immense in one of the region’s poorest countries.
It was in this challenging environment that Faniel pursued his studies. He earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications engineering with a 90% average. When a scholarship opportunity for refugees at Sciences Po arose, he met the academic, linguistic, and refugee status criteria.
However, a major obstacle remained.
Turning Opportunity into Reality
Like many refugees in protracted displacement, Faniel did not possess the legal documents required for international travel. Without a passport or recognized travel document, the scholarship seemed initially out of reach.
After informing the university of his situation, Sciences Po contacted UNHCR in France to explore possible solutions. UNHCR in Yemen then met with Faniel to assess his situation and determine the support needed for him to access the scholarship.
UNHCR offices in Yemen, Djibouti, and France worked closely with the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) to overcome legal and logistical hurdles, thanks to the complementary education pathway UNIV’R, a program that facilitates refugees’ access to higher education in France, outside traditional resettlement programs.
The process involved facilitating his exit formalities from Sanaa, transferring Faniel to the port city of Aden for pre-registration with UNHCR, supporting the issuance of a travel document, and arranging his journey to Djibouti. From there, with the rapid support of French authorities, he obtained the visa and necessary documents to continue his journey to Paris.
“I felt they believed in my potential,” Faniel explains. “It’s thanks to incredible coordination that this very complex situation could be resolved.”
First Impressions of Paris
Faniel arrived in Paris in September 2025 for the start of the academic year. “Sciences Po is very academically demanding, so I dedicate most of my time to studies, assignments, and research. It exceeds some of my expectations. The professors come from very diverse backgrounds, from many different countries.”
“Outside of my studies, I enjoy exploring. This is my first time in Europe and my first visit to a European city,” he says. “And not just any city: one of the most beautiful and famous in the world.”
As he settled into his new life, he began taking long walks and exploring the city’s iconic landmarks. He visited the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Montmartre, and the Arc de Triomphe.
“The Eiffel Tower impressed me greatly,” he confides. “I went all the way to the top and could admire the city stretching out before my eyes. It’s unforgettable.”
At the Louvre, he made an unexpected discovery.
“What particularly struck me was finding Yemeni statues and inscriptions in the museum,” he specifies. “It was truly very interesting to see.”
Staying Connected to Home
While adapting to life in Paris, Faniel remains very close to his family in Yemen.
“My family stayed in Sanaa,” he explains, a city still marked by years of conflict and instability. “I make weekly video calls with them, and we also stay in touch via text messages and WhatsApp.”
He has also found a welcoming community in France. On weekends, he meets with other Yemenis and refugees, often to play football or spend time together, routines that help him anchor himself in his new daily life.
Over the past few months, he has experienced many firsts: walking through Paris during the Christmas season, visiting Christmas markets, celebrating New Year’s Eve on the Champs-Élysées, and seeing snow for the first time.
“I will never forget the first time I built a snowman,” he confides.
Looking Towards the Future
Now specializing in international development and economics, Faniel wishes to use his university education and experience of displacement. He hopes to work on issues related to displacement and development in the future.
His journey illustrates how education, supported by complementary pathways, can open safe and legal opportunities for refugees to realize their potential.
“This journey is not just mine,” he explains. “It is also important for my family and for all refugees who dream of a better future.”
Source: https://www.unhcr.org/fr/actualites/articles-et-reportages/de-sanaa-paris-parcours-dun-etudiant-refugie
