My name is Sahar Abassy, and I’m a senior at McCallum High School. I moved to the U.S. three years ago, and my journey hasn’t been easy. I’m originally from Afghanistan, a country known for its beautiful mountains, colorful traditions and strong, resilient people.
Back home, I lived in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. I went to Totya High School, a school of about 3,000 students. My life there was simple but full of joy. I loved going to school every day to learn and see my friends. My teachers always encouraged me to work hard, and my classmates and I often studied together after school. Education was very important to my family, and I dreamed of one day having a good career. Life felt safe and hopeful back then, and I believed that anything was possible.
Afghanistan has a rich culture filled with music, poetry, and celebrations like Eid and Nowruz, which bring families and communities together. Family and hospitality are a huge part of our traditions — no matter what challenges we face, we always come together with love and support.
When I was in ninth grade, the Taliban took over my country. That moment felt like my whole world collapsed. I remember hearing the news and feeling like I was trapped in a jail with no way out — like life was over and my dreams were gone. Girls were no longer allowed to go to school, so I had to stop my education. It was one of the hardest times of my life. I felt scared and heartbroken, knowing that my future might disappear, but I never gave up on my hopes.
In 2022, my family and I made the difficult decision to leave Afghanistan. The journey to America was long and scary because we didn’t know if we would make it safely. We had to leave behind our home, friends and everything familiar to us. Even though I already knew some English, living in a new country was still very challenging. Everything felt different — the culture, the people and the way of life. At first, it was hard to adjust and feel like I belonged, but over time, with the help of my teachers and friends, I started to feel more confident. Their kindness gave me hope and made me believe I could build a new life here.
Now, being here in the U.S., I have a second chance to chase my dreams. I speak four languages — Farsi, English, Turkish and a little Hindi — and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Life in Austin is very different from life in Afghanistan. There are more opportunities for education and personal growth here. After high school, I plan to start college to become a dental hygienist. Then I’ll transfer to a university to continue my education and become a dentist one day.
My journey has been filled with challenges, but it has also been filled with hope. Every step I’ve taken has brought me closer to my dreams, and I’m determined to keep going — for myself, my family, and the future I’ve always believed in.
