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Sarah Al Furaiji

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

Hello, my name is Sarah. I moved from Iraq to the United States when I was 10 years old and have been living in Texas for the past six years. Being the only Muslim girl wearing a Hijab in the room was challenging, but I learned to be myself and embrace my identity and roots. I am a dedicated nursing student at UT Health San Antonio with a strong passion for healthcare and helping others. I moved from Iraq to the United States without knowing English, and through persistence and hard work, I learned the language and adapted to a new education system. This experience shaped my resilience, work ethic, and compassion for people facing challenges, especially those from diverse or immigrant backgrounds. I am currently building my knowledge in science and clinical care with the goal of becoming a registered nurse. My future goal is to serve diverse communities by providing compassionate, culturally aware care and to encourage others from similar backgrounds to pursue their educational dreams.

Education

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Bachelor's degree program
2026 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Associate's degree program
2024 - 2026

Texas Connections Academy at Houston

High School
2022 - 2024

Idea Mays College Preparatory

High School
2019 - 2022

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
    • Biology, General
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
  • Planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      • Nursing
      • Hospital & Health Care
    • Dream career goals:

      Doctor

    • Present

    Sports

    Volleyball

    Junior Varsity
    2021 – 20221 year

    Basketball

    Varsity
    2021 – Present5 years

    Awards

    • I managed the Basketball Varsity team

    Research

    • Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering

      AP Seminar — Online research
      2022 – Present

    Arts

    • Folks Middle School

      Drawing
      2017 – 2018
    • IDEA Mays College Prep

      Acting
      2022 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      ENGin Program — Volunteer/teacher
      2023 – Present
    • Volunteering

      IDEA Mays
      2021 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Local mosque — Assistant teacher
      2021 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    Jeanie A. Memorial Scholarship
    At the age of 10, I arrived in the United States with the daunting task of mastering the English language to pass my 5th-grade STAAR exam. It was a challenging journey, but I was determined and committed to achieving my goal. I spent countless hours studying and practicing, and after three years of hard work and persistence, I finally became fluent in English. Despite the language barrier, I have managed to excel in my studies and maintain an unweighted GPA above 3.5. This is a testament to my unwavering commitment to academic excellence and my ability to overcome obstacles through hard work and dedication. I am proud of my accomplishments and look forward to continuing to pursue my academic goals with the same level of determination and perseverance. As a Muslim teenager in the United States, I have encountered numerous difficulties, including bullying and discrimination, which have shaped my character and strengthened my resolve. However, I have never lost sight of my objectives, and I remain steadfast in my confidence and determination to achieve my goals. I am convinced that my perseverance and resilience make me an ideal candidate for this scholarship because I am unwavering in my determination to make a positive impact on society and stay focused on my goals. As I look ahead to my future, I am filled with a deep sense of purpose and determination to pursue my ultimate aspiration of becoming a premed student and attending medical school. My passion for medicine and healthcare has been a driving force in my life, and I am committed to using my knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it the most. One of my primary goals is to assist individuals in underprivileged areas in gaining a better understanding of their health and anatomy. I believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their socioeconomic status or background. Through my work as a premed student and future physician, I hope to help bridge the gap between healthcare disparities and provide care to those who are often overlooked or underserved. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, as it will enable me to pursue my dreams and make a positive impact on the world. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the field of medicine and serve my community.