Barav Barzani

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At the moment

I have moved back to Kurdistan, Iraq to work for the government. I am very excited to be equipped with the knowledge and expertise I gained from studying at Edinburgh, which is much needed in developing countries and regions. I believe my education has opened up many avenues for me and fills the gap that is needed to move the developing world forward.

Your time at the University

The city is incomparable to any other city, and I call it my home now; no one who has lived in Edinburgh can let go of this beautiful city or its charm. In Edinburgh I met some of the most amazing people that are a huge part of my life, which I am so grateful for.

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The University of Edinburgh was like a portal to an extraordinary version of myself. Coming out of it there was an ambitious, well-equipped person with the knowledge to make a change, and the constant effort to be a better version of myself in all aspects of life. The University was eye-opening.

Choosing Edinburgh was based on the location and university for me. But I say now, it was no coincidence - I was meant to be there. Studying International Relations was something I liked but studying various subjects and having the liberty to choose your subjects made me love International Relations and not just like it. It made me more interested in the field.

Memories of Edinburgh will forever be with me. Academically, the shared stress, hard work, and pulling all-nighters all come to be sweet when looking back. Edinburgh was the city I chose to publish my book. The city is incomparable to any other city, and I call it my home now; no one that has lived in Edinburgh can let go of this beautiful city or its charm. In Edinburgh I met some of the most amazing people that are a huge part of my life, which I am so grateful for.

Your experiences since leaving the University

Having left university a different person from the one who had joined in the most positive sense, I could never settle for less. I was eager to further improve personally and embark on my journey of being the change I want to see in the world. Since graduating from Edinburgh, the pandemic started but that didn’t stop me from progressing towards my goals. I moved to London and started doing my Master's at University College London. This crystalised the knowledge I had gained and added more skills that I could use directly when working.

My goal is to be the change and asset that Kurdistan needs. I am very much connected to Kurdistan as I originally come from there, so it is my pride and joy to serve and add my knowledge and skills to the rest of the expertise there. Kurdistan has very big potential and the youth are very ambitious however not everyone has the opportunity to study at a place like Edinburgh, so it is my duty to use what I have learned for anyone who wants to improve their country.

Life during Covid-19

Covid-19 was to many when life stopped but for me it was only the beginning. It slowed down the ever-hasty life; not to say I did not work or do what I used to do but in the sense things slowed down and I had more time to think about myself and become a better version of myself. I didn’t change anything about my goals or plans because of Covid because life goes on.

Alumni wisdom

I wish I had known that I should take it easy, take one step at a time, and not to be so hard on myself – life is not as hard as we make it or think it to be. Take it easy and slow (literally). Never pass on any opportunity that presents itself to you and be as ambitious as you can because that will get you places and make dreams come true.

Related links

School of Social and Political Science