Student story: From refugee camps to Oxford

"My name is Sami Barkal, a 5th year medical student at Witten/Herdecke University in Germany. I am currently doing a one-year research project in cancer immunology as part of my additional doctoral degree (Dr. med.) in the laboratory of Professor Michael Dustin at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology. My research stay has been funded by the German Academic Scholarship Foundation.

The journey so far 
I was born in the Kurdish region of Syria. My life has been determined by war and migration since 2011. In 2015, I reached Germany as a refugee child of illiterate parents who were part of the politically oppressed ethnic minority in their own home country.

This background made the idea of an academic career in Syria seem almost unimaginable, but becoming a refugee has placed education even further out of reach. For that reason, it still feels surreal to be studying medicine and conducting research at a university of such prestige and history.

Time in Oxford
For my doctoral thesis, I was determined to choose an environment that offered scientific excellence. Oxford goes beyond that by being a unique place that attracts curious, driven, and inspiring people from all over the world, offering valuable lessons and insights.

My time in Oxford has been particularly enriching through my associated membership at Brasenose College. The HCR (Hulme Common Room) at Brasenose organised a variety of events that enabled me to connect with a highly international and open-minded community. I consider the exchange between people from different backgrounds to be very valuable and enriching. Unfortunately, this experience is not available everywhere. I am therefore especially grateful to have gained this experience here.

Moreover, Oxford offers a wide range of opportunities such as clubs and societies. These organise various events which I enjoy attending.

Finally, coming to Oxford has been one of the most important decisions of my academic journey so far. The knowledge I gained and the people I met will leave an indelible mark on both my professional and personal development.

Looking to the future
Because of my experience in the lab, I am planning to continue pursuing research after completing my medical degree. Most likely, this will be within the clinical scientist programme in Germany, where physicians conduct research in the lab alongside their clinical work at the hospital, building a bridge between their clinical expertise in various diseases and basic research in the lab.

I strongly encourage medical students who are interested in research to apply for internships/research stays in Oxford. This would provide insights into how scientific knowledge is generated and what modern medicine is based on. I would like to conclude by encouraging others to come to Oxford and create their own fulfilling experiences."