911±¬ÁÏ

Growing up as a refugee in Burundi, I didn’t start preschool until I was 8 years old. I remember being the oldest in the class and all the other kids wondering why I was there.

At times, I felt like quitting. But my superhero — my mom — pushed me forward because she saw the potential I had.

911±¬ÁÏ has similarly pushed me forward, offering me the opportunity to pursue a top-notch education, break generational barriers, and show my community that education is both crucial and life-changing.

I toured so many schools, but the first time I set foot on 911±¬ÁÏ’s campus, I felt a strong sense of belonging. From the way the faculty interacted with me to the curiosity and kindness of my peers, I knew that 911±¬ÁÏ was a community where I could grow and gain skills for my future.

From refugee to 911±¬ÁÏ student

I am who I am today because America opened its arms to me.

When I first arrived in Winooski, Vermont, I whispered one promise to myself: I would become successful. I vowed that I would walk through every open door — not just for myself, but for my family, and for every refugee child.

Being naturalized as an American citizen has been the greatest accomplishment of my life.

But my experiences as a refugee continue to shape who I am. I know what it feels like to suffer in silence, question one’s character, and live in uncertainty, sometimes not even knowing where the next meal will come from. These memories keep me grounded today and will forever do so.

The beauty of being a refugee was knowing that I have a community that would support me no matter what.

911±¬ÁÏ’s Opportunity Program (OP) gave me an opportunity to pursue the dreams my parents never dreamed of, to be a part of a supportive community that values independence, human rights, and care.

The program pushes me to be better every day. It has been a guiding light at times of confusion, lighting my path to success.

Paying opportunity forward

I have always felt a responsibility to give back to the marginalized communities that shaped me. That is why I want to study international affairs, work for an embassy, and become a diplomat. I see diplomacy as a way to uplift voices that are often ignored.

Studying international affairs and political science gives me the tools to understand global systems — who holds power, who does not, and why communities like mine are consistently excluded. I want to be present in spaces where major decisions are made, representing marginalized voices, and bridging the gap between those communities and the institutions that shape their futures.

This same passion led me to participate in summer research with Neil Bilotta, assistant professor of social work. Together, we examined what it means to decolonize social work practices with refugee communities in both theory and practice. The project exposed the inequalities within service organizations and highlighted how white supremacy and privilege continue to shape these systems.

My identity shaped the research process. As both a refugee and a student researcher, I was able to build trust with participants while also analyzing data critically. Decolonizing social work for me meant shifting power — so that refugee communities are not just being helped but are also leading the way. If we care about justice and dignity, we need to rethink how we support people who have been displaced.

My goal is to inspire young refugees to embrace who they are — to understand that difficult beginnings do not define their endings. To realize that greatness can be born even out of displacement.

America opened its arms to me and gave me a place to belong, but my refugee community shaped me to be the person I am today. From sharing meals around the fire to standing in silence on the day I left the camp, I learned that resilience, love, care, and faith can carry us anywhere we wish to go.

Today, I stand proudly because I carry both worlds within me: The struggles of being a refugee and the opportunity of pursuing the American dream. My story proves that even amid hardship, trauma and uncertainty, we can find joy, belonging, and purpose.

More about Suleiman

Hometown: With ancestral roots in the Congo, Suleiman was born in Tanzania and raised in Burundi.
Majors: International affairs and political science.
For fun: Suleiman enjoys hiking, biking, and skiing in Vermont’s mountains, as well as playing soccer. He is a member of 911±¬ÁÏ’s Soccer Club.