A refugee who left Iraq as a toddler to get urgent medical treatment in the UK has won a place at Cambridge University to study medicine after achieving four A*s in his A-levels.
According to Cambridge-news.co.uk, Buraq Ahmed, 18, came to the UK aged three when his parents sold their home to fund treatment for his agonising hip condition. The toddler and his grandma Saadiyah Khattab, 69, were only supposed to stay for a short time to complete the treatment, but while he was away the war intensified, and he couldn't go back.
Despite being unable to speak English, he started school in the UK and flourished - but was unable to see his parents for 10 years while the war raged on. And several years later, despite nine surgeries and daily pain medication for his congenital hip dysplasia, he achieved four A*'s in his A levels. Buraq attended a comprehensive secondary school in Cardiff, and was a talented footballer being chosen to play for Cardiff City Academy. However, as his condition worsened, his physical movement became increasingly stiff and he was unable to play, giving him more time to focus solely on his studies.
Buraq, from Cardiff, who studied biology, chemistry, economics and maths at A level, said: "Neither my grandmother or myself spoke English when we arrived in the UK, and there were many days when I was unable to move.
Buraq's parents Duraid Abdullah, 49, and Ruaa Yousif, 38, sold their home in Iraq in 2005 so he could travel to the UK to undergo the surgery he desperately needed.
This gave him and his grandma refugee status, allowing them to build a better life for themselves in Cardiff.
Bruaq had a right hip replacement operation in August 2019, and is waiting for another op on the other side, delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Since arriving at the college in 2018 Buraq has competed in the Oxford and Cambridge regional debates and been an active member of the student-led Medical Ethics Society.
Gareth Collier, principal at Cardiff Sixth Form College, said: “Buraq is an extraordinary student who out of adversity has really gone onto achieve great things." Despite the traumatic start to his life, continued separation from his parents and the strong medication that he uses to manage his daily pain, Buraq never dwelled on these difficulties. "Instead this has made him resilient, determined to succeed and embrace every opportunity that has been available at the college. "He fully deserves both his grades and a place at Cambridge. Our NHS needs people like Buraq and I am truly delighted for him."
