Arash’s story
A life of learning
Forced to flee Iran, Arash rebuilt his life through education. Now at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, he champions education as a way of transforming futures - drawing on his own experience to help others find safety, dignity, and opportunity.
Starting again
Arash’s story began in Iran, where his family instilled in him a deep belief in the power of education. But as their safety was threatened, the family was forced to flee their home, leaving everything behind.
Before resettling in Australia, Arash and his family spent time in Malaysia. Relief and disorientation came hand in hand. “Everything was new - papers, buses, rules, even how to introduce myself without my past taking over the conversation,” he recalls.
The challenges were immediate and profound. As a refugee, Arash faced a daily reality of invisibility and uncertainty. “You wait. You navigate limits you didn’t choose. You want to plan, but permission to plan comes later, if it comes at all.”
Education, once a cornerstone of his upbringing, became a luxury: “Safety becomes a constant challenge and worrying becomes a part of daily life.”
Finding a way forward
Arash began to rebuild by saying “yes” to every opportunity he could: volunteering at youth programmes, events, casework and translation support. “By joining committees, running projects, and sharing tools, I regained confidence and dignity,” says Arash. But barriers still loomed large – questions about his language skills, his qualifications, and the stigma of being a refugee: “even if you meet all the criteria, your status puts a question mark on people’s faces”.
Arash’s first job at HELP College was a turning point: “The university president believed in me and invested in my education. That belief turned ‘maybe’ into momentum. I was once again full of hope and dreams.” He earned a refugee scholarship, graduated, and worked as an engineer, all while staying connected to humanitarian work. After working with a few Non-Governmental Organisations, eventually, he joined UNHCR. “Joining UNHCR added responsibility to that hope”, he says. “It’s one thing to rebuild your life; it’s another to help open pathways for others.”
A new mission
Today, Arash works with UNHCR’s Private Sector Partnerships team, securing education for young refugees all around the world. “A safe classroom, a paid teacher, and a school that welcomes you - these are what make it possible to restart a life,” he says. Arash wants the world to understand: “We are not a single story. Displacement is a legal reality, not an identity. When systems are fair and welcoming, refugees strengthen the communities they join.”
Looking ahead
Arash dedicates his work to his mother, whose sacrifices made his journey possible. His hope for the future is clear: “That a child’s birthplace never limits their learning.” For him, education and decent work are not favours - they are the scaffolding of dignity. “When refugees can access school and jobs, we don’t just survive; we contribute, and everything around us thrives.”
