Opening Doors - by Tahira Hussain

Summary

A young girl from a conservative family overcomes cultural barriers and familial opposition to pursue her education abroad with a scholarship. Despite her fears of angering her family, she gains their reluctant support, with her brother eventually taking her to the medical exam after an emotional confrontation. As she settles in the US, her parents' perspective on education for girls shifts. The scholarship not only opens doors for her but also for her relatives, inspiring changes in their community's views on women's education. Her journey empowers not only herself but also other girls in her family and community to pursue their dreams.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is the first girl in her family to attend college, marking a significant achievement.
• 😀 Getting the scholarship was not as difficult as convincing her family to support her decision.
• 😀 Her friend applied for the scholarship on her behalf because she was scared of family reactions.
• 😀 The speaker's mother was initially unsupportive, but after discussing it with her father, they made some decisions.
• 😀 Her brother initially resisted the idea but eventually agreed to take her to the medical exam, which was required for the scholarship.
• 😀 The speaker's father, though sick, showed trust and support in her decision to go abroad for college.
• 😀 The family faced pressure from relatives, and the speaker believed her situation would be different if she were a son.
• 😀 Her mother's statement about responsibility and trust showed a shift in their attitudes towards her education.
• 😀 After six months in the U.S., the speaker felt proud of her accomplishments, particularly in her brother’s changed perspective.
• 😀 The speaker’s success inspired her brother to apply for the scholarship and ask for her help.
• 😀 The speaker's achievement has helped open doors for other girls in her community, influencing their families' attitudes toward education.

Q & A

Why was getting the scholarship not the most challenging part of the speaker's journey?

The most challenging part was convincing her family, especially her father and brother, that she should go to college. This was difficult due to cultural and familial expectations.

What role did the speaker’s mother play in her journey to college?

The speaker’s mother was initially unsupportive but later played a crucial role in convincing her brother to help take her to the medical exam. Over time, her mother became more supportive and trusted her decisions.

How did the speaker feel when her brother first opened the scholarship award letter?

The speaker was not present when her brother opened the award letter, but it was a significant moment because it was tied to a lot of emotional tension in the family.

What was the cultural barrier the speaker faced when traveling abroad?

The speaker was not allowed to travel alone without a male guardian, which was a cultural restriction. Her brother had to take her, and initially, he refused.

What caused the speaker’s brother to change his mind and help her travel?

The speaker believes her brother changed his mind after seeing their mother's tears, which likely played a significant emotional role in altering his stance.

How did the speaker's father's perspective on her education evolve?

Although the father faced pressure from relatives, he placed his trust in his daughter, which helped her feel supported. He eventually showed pride in her, especially when she left for the United States.

What was the speaker’s realization after spending six months in the U.S.?

The speaker realized that her journey wasn’t just about her own success—it was a broader symbol of hope and pride for her family and community. She saw pride in her brother’s eyes during a Skype call.

How did the speaker’s mother’s views change about her decisions over time?

Her mother, initially very concerned about judgment from others, later supported her daughter’s decision to pursue opportunities, even encouraging her to take risks like applying for a job in Dubai.

What impact did the speaker’s success have on other women in her community?

The speaker’s success paved the way for other girls in her community to pursue education. Her cousins and sister were inspired, and her journey broke cultural barriers around girls' education.

Why does the speaker believe the scholarship was not just for her?

The speaker believes the scholarship was a victory for her entire community because it opened doors for other women in her family and helped shift the mindset around girls’ education.