A group of 21 young students from Gaza recently gathered at Maynooth University to prepare for a significant life transition. Having arrived in Ireland last year, these students are nearing the end of their one-year master’s programmes and are beginning to look toward their futures.
The students participated in a day-long “bootcamp” designed to provide practical guidance for life in Ireland. Invited experts offered advice on navigating the immigration system, searching for accommodation and seeking employment within the Irish job market.
A Transition Toward Uncertainty
For many of these individuals, the arrival in Ireland was a reprieve from extreme hardship. Most students were evacuated from Gaza in late August of last year through an operation supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, though some, like Niven Loubbad, arrived as early as April 2025.
However, the relief of finding sanctuary is now met with the practicalities of independence. In August, these students will hand in their theses, at which point their stipends and university accommodation are scheduled to end.
This upcoming deadline creates a sense of pressure. Niven Loubbad, who is completing a Masters in Applied Intercultural Communication at Trinity College, noted that starting from scratch in the Irish job market feels “scary and overwhelming.”
Did You Know? Ireland provided sanctuary to approximately 100 students from Gaza last year, supported by Irish universities and private donors from as far away as the United States.
The Burden of Dual Realities
While pursuing their studies, the students continue to carry the heavy emotional weight of the situation in Gaza. Many report a profound sense of disconnect, with Abdallah Aljazzar describing his life in Ireland as feeling “like a movie” that “does not feel real.”
The students face the constant challenge of maintaining contact with family members. Poor internet connections and frequent outages make communication difficult, often leaving students in states of intense worry during periods of silence.
For some, the trauma is deeply personal. Abdallah Aljazzar is still searching for clarity regarding his younger brother, Nour, who went missing during the bombardment of Rafah two years ago. The family remains uncertain if he is dead or held in an Israeli prison.
“Sometimes you lose contact with them and you feel insane,” said Niven Loubbad, following an airstrike near her family’s home that temporarily severed communication.
Expert Insight: The transition from a humanitarian evacuation to academic integration presents a complex psychological challenge. Students are forced to navigate the high-stakes requirements of postgraduate success while simultaneously managing the “double burden” of personal trauma and the ongoing instability of their families’ lives back home.
Looking Toward the Future
Despite the daunting nature of their upcoming transition, many students express a sense of determination. Hamza Ibrahim, a journalism student at the University of Limerick, stated his intention to use his experiences to “have courage, to write, to speak.”
The bootcamp, which Abdallah Aljazzar helped organize through Maynooth’s Equality office, was born from the realization that many students feel they “don’t know what [they] don’t know” regarding Irish life beyond their campuses.
As the academic year concludes, the students’ ability to secure employment and housing may become the defining factor in their long-term stability in Ireland. While some, like Lujayn Anan, find strength in the solidarity shown by the Irish people, the future remains a source of significant anxiety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the bootcamp at Maynooth University?
The bootcamp was designed to help Gazan students navigate the Irish immigration system, find accommodation, and seek employment.
When do the students’ current academic and financial supports end?
In August, the students will complete their master’s programmes, hand in their theses, and see their stipends and university accommodation come to an end.
What are the primary challenges these students face?
Students face challenges including finding accommodation, entering the Irish job market, and the emotional burden of worrying about their families in Gaza.
How can societies better support displaced students as they transition from academic sanctuary to independent living?
