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Othman A. Abd Rabou is a 30 year old student who was due to begin studying at UCD this September. His visa was one of the many which were rejected by the Irish government. Editor Alice Keegan interviews Othman on his experience.
Othman’s life has changed since the war and genocide began in Gaza. He has lost people he loved, the place he called home, and the life he knew. In the face of all adversity, he is “still trying to find a way forward”.
Before the war, he had a “normal life” which included work, family and plans for his future.
He described how his life has been impacted by war and genocide:
“I have lost my home and my work, been displaced, and lost five of my siblings: Muhammad, Sumayya, Einas, Ahmad and Noor. Muhammad and Sumayya were killed in August 2024, and Einas, Ahmad and Noor in December 2024. Their remains are still under the rubble.” He says they have not been able to recover them as the area remains under Israeli control.
For Othman, education “became a way for me to hold onto my future.” He studied during “displacement, bombardment, electricity and internet cuts” all while grieving his siblings. This was “extremely difficult,” but he persevered, believing “the war should not be allowed to become the end of my ambitions.”
He applied to and was accepted into UCD to study an MSc in Communication and Media. He was “granted a tuition fee waiver through scholarship support”, and accommodation.
He believed that UCD was an “excellent university with strong academic programmes. I chose the MSc in Communication and Media because the programme closely matches my academic and professional background and will help me develop my skills in journalism, media, and communications.”
Furthermore, Othman “communicated with UCD staff about circumstances and the visa process.”
It was an important opportunity for Othman, as “education from Gaza became incredibly difficult under the circumstances of the war.”
He continued, “When I was accepted by the university, I was overwhelmed with joy…I felt that there was finally hope in the darkness surrounding us.”
He described how he “chose Ireland because I came to love the country and because I saw the great solidarity among the Irish people with the Palestinian cause, particularly throughout the war in Gaza and to this day. I have found the Irish people to be kind and supportive of Palestinians. Even throughout my admission process at UCD, I experienced their care, appreciation, and willingness to remove obstacles and make everything as easy as possible so that I could take up my place at the university and travel to Ireland.”
Then his hopes were dashed. Othman described how “After submitting my student visa application in June and waiting for a decision, I received a refusal on 17 August 2026.”
At the beginning of June, my Irish visa application was submitted through UCD’s immigration team, after I provided the documents required for the application process.
On 17 August 2026, my Irish visa was refused. I received an email informing me of the decision and setting out the reasons for the refusal.
The email setting out the reasons for the refusal, to which Othman asked, “How can a student who has received a scholarship, who has lost his family members, his home, and almost everything he had, be expected to provide certain documents when we are living through a war that has destroyed educational institutions, banks, and basic infrastructure?”
He continued; “It was devastating, especially because I had already been accepted, received scholarship support, and was preparing to begin my studies in September.”
He firmly believes that the circumstances faced by students in Gaza should have been considered, and that the travel and visa process should have been made more accessible to them.
“Here in Gaza, we are struggling simply to obtain food and water. We are living in displacement because of the war. When we were forced to leave our homes, we were only able to take a small amount of food and clothing with us.”
He explained that “accessing education has become an enormous challenge.”
Universities and schools have been damaged or destroyed, students have been displaced from their homes, electricity and internet access have been repeatedly disrupted. This has resulted in educational materials being lost or difficult to access, meanwhile students must grapple with the loss of their classmates, teachers and family members.
Now, Othman is still in Gaza, “trying to continue with my life and education while facing extremely difficult circumstances and pursuing my visa appeal.”
He is pursuing an appeal and has legal representation. He hopes that his decision will be reconsidered.
He says what he wants is “simple.” To study at UCD, develop a career in Media and Communication Technology, and use what I learn to rebuild my life and contribute to my community.”
He finished by stating, “After losing so much, this opportunity means more to me than a degree. It is a chance to reclaim part of the future I lost…I am trying to continue on my path despite everything that has happened because I do not want the war to be the force that determines my future.”