Peacebuilding in Yemen after my Chevening Scholarship

I have always been passionate about supporting others. As a student, I often volunteered to help classmates understand their lessons and joined reading clubs and discussions. Looking back, I think I was always searching for ways to connect with others and bring people together through learning.  One day, I hope to help shape inclusive policies and strengthen civic participation across Yemen. I know this journey will be challenging, but I believe sustainable peace begins with informed, empowered communities. 

In college, my passion to help others turned into leadership. I volunteered as a tutor, led reading groups, and participated in public speaking activities. Meeting people from different backgrounds taught me how powerful listening can be. I didn’t realise it at the time, but those early experiences shaped my confidence and planted the first seeds of my interest in diplomacy and peacebuilding. 

My professional journey began in education. I worked with students of different ages and backgrounds who were eager to learn English and discover new cultures. Teaching felt meaningful because I could see how language opened doors and facilitated understanding across cultures. 

But when the conflict in Yemen intensified, everything changed. 

The crisis was no longer something I read about in the news. It affected people I knew, families I loved, and communities that shaped who I am. I became deeply aware of human rights abuses and political failures shaping my country’s future. 

That period changed me profoundly. I realised that I wanted to do more than teach- I wanted to understand the politics behind conflict, the diplomacy within peace processes, and the systems that should protect human dignity. That realisation pushed me toward international relations and human rights, and strengthened my dream of becoming a diplomat. 

I found my place at the University of York 

Studying International Relations and Human Rights at the University of York has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. It gave me the language and tools to understand what I had witnessed in Yemen and beyond. 

One module that deeply influenced me was Conflict and Development. Before this course, I thought of conflict as simply war. But I learnt that violence is also produced by inequality, political exclusion, and economic injustice. Studying cases from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East helped me see that many societies struggle with similar patterns. It also showed me there are pathways out of the violence. 

Themes and Theories of International Relations challenged me to question mainstream, Eurocentric perspectives and to explore voices often left out of global political debates. Applying Human Rights introduced me to local, community-driven approaches to human rights practice, which felt especially relevant to my own experiences and aspirations. 

For the first time, I felt that my personal story and my academic studies were truly connected. 

Building an international network

Being a student at York is about more than lectures and essays. As an International Student Ambassador, I engage with students from around the world and represent international perspectives within the university. It has helped me build confidence and feel part of a global academic community. 

I’ve also attended workshops, guest lectures, and events that broadened my thinking. I was also able to share my fieldwork experiences in the Middle East and Africa with my classmates, which felt particularly memorable. 

Chevening has made dreams a reality  

Applying for the Chevening Scholarship was not a spontaneous decision. It was a goal I had been working towards for years. I consciously built my academic profile, leadership experience, and professional skills with this dream in mind. 

Being a Chevening scholar has been life changing. I have met people from all over the world, learnt about UK culture, and built relationships that will last a lifetime. These connections have shown me that peacebuilding is a global effort and that collaboration across borders is essential. 

Yemen faces enormous challenges in peacebuilding, democracy, and international diplomacy. The future will depend on inclusive peace dialogues, transitional justice, and active civic participation. I strongly believe that the youth, especially women, must be at the centre of this process. 

My goal is to work with the UN Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) and later establish a non-profit organisation focused on youth and women’s empowerment in peacebuilding. I dream of creating an Academic and Community Rehabilitation Institution to provide education, civic awareness training, and peacebuilding skills to students affected by conflict. 

I want to build bridges between the UK and Yemen.

The UK and Yemen share a long history of diplomatic relations. Through my studies, Chevening experience, and future work, I hope to contribute to strengthening understanding and collaboration between the two countries. 

My journey, from a curious student to a peacebuilding advocate, has taught me that change begins with empathy, education, and courage. I believe that by equipping young people with knowledge, leadership skills, and global networks, we can help rebuild societies and create a more peaceful and inclusive future for Yemen.