Woman’s life as a refugee inspired her public health degree

After a few years working as a carer, she started a three-year course at the University of Manchester in 2023.

Her lecturer Sam Aston said her “remarkable journey” was a “testament to her resilience and determination to fulfil her dream at Manchester”.

“The passion and compassion that she has shown for public health have driven her to turn her experiences into a purposeful education,” she said.

“We are immensely proud of her achievement and excited to see the difference she will make in improving health for vulnerable communities.”

Sesay said graduating was a dream come true and she was “very proud right now”.

“As a refugee, I didn’t know I could do this,” she said.

“It was a different situation in a different life, [a] different world.

“My journey has taken me from fleeing a civil war in Liberia to living in a refugee camp in Guinea and now graduating from The University of Manchester.”

She said losing her parents at a young age had been “incredibly difficult, but the support I received from humanitarian organisations and the communities around me gave me hope and determination”.

She added that she wanted her story to inspire others.

“I would say always think that you can still make it in life, once you follow your dreams and be strong and work hard and find the right support,” she said.

“Always think you will make it.”