2010 Annual Report: Abdulaziz Said

Abdulaziz Said  2006 Scholar: Embracing Growth and Development

Born in a small village in Southern Ethiopia, the life of Abdulaziz (Abdul) Said was forever changed by the outbreak of the Ethiopian Civil War. His family was forced to settle first in Kenya as refugees, and later they were fortunate to be permanently resettled in the U.S., first in Florida, and then in Colorado in 1995.

As a child, Abdul dreamed of traveling the world, so he spent countless nights reading books to learn about different countries and cultures. He says his dreams came true through the opportunity to apply for, and receive, the Daniels Scholarship.

 “I realized I no longer had an excuse for not fulfilling my wildest imagination, given such an unbelievable opportunity through the Daniels Scholarship,” said Abdul.

Abdul was accepted to Syracuse University and studied International Relations and Policy Studies. After four years, he graduated magna cum laude.

College taught Abdul a lot about himself and a lot about his dreams. “I can proudly say that I’ve become more humane, more considerate, and just a better person,” he said.

He also recognizes his success and making new developments in his life would not have happened without his family. “These opportunities would not have been possible were it not for the strong work ethic, generosity, and kindness that my family instilled in me,” said Abdul.

Abdul currently lives in Ürgüp, Turkey, on the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Grant at Nevsehir University. His dreams of traveling the world are coming true.

Abdul attributes his success to the Daniels Fund giving him the opportunity to attend college. “I’m incredibly amazed and sometimes brought to tears of how college has changed my life. More importantly, how the Daniels Fund has changed my life,” said Abdul.