Suhraob Safi

I was born and raised in Afghanistan, and when the new government took over Kabul, my life changed overnight. At 17 years old, while still in 12th grade, I was evacuated through the Kabul airport with the help of a U.S. soldier who brought me to safety in the United States. I arrived with nothing no family, no English, and no understanding of what my new life would look like. My first months in the U.S. were spent in a youth shelter, where I lived with another Afghan boy who also had no family. Soon after, my uncle arrived in the U.S., and I joined him, hoping for stability. Instead, I faced many challenges and quickly realized that I had to take responsibility for my own future. As soon as I turned 18, I began working full-time while handling all my immigration and identification documents on my own. Those early months in California taught me resilience and independence. After six months of work, I tried to enroll in school, but I was not accepted because I had no transcript from Afghanistan. Realizing I needed a fresh start, I moved to Michigan. There, I obtained my transcript, enrolled in high school for one year, and earned my diploma. At the same time, I worked to support myself and send financial help to my family in Afghanistan, especially after losing my father many years earlier. With no relatives in Michigan and no support system, I built everything from zero finding housing, learning the culture, working, and continuing my education. After graduating high school, I entered college while working multiple jobs to support both myself and my family overseas. Later, I successfully applied for my family’s resettlement to the United States. When they arrived, I took full responsibility to help them adjust to life here finding them housing, transportation, buying a car, teaching them daily life skills, and ensuring they did not struggle the way I did. While supporting my family, I continued working and studying. I became a leasing agent at a residential community, where I developed strong communication, customer service, and office management skills. In college, I strengthened my academic foundation especially in math, physics, and computer science and earned strong letters of recommendation from my professors. After completing my transfer requirements, I applied to the University of San Diego and was accepted as a student. Today, I am proud to study at USD while continuing to support my family and build a better future through education, service, and hard work.

I have also earned multiple Grace Hill certifications in housing and property management, which strengthened my skills in customer service, leasing, fair housing laws, and maintenance communication. In high school, I was recognized as a dedicated and hardworking student by my teachers, who consistently supported my academic growth and believed in my potential. These achievements helped me build confidence, discipline, and professionalism as I continued my education and career in the United States.