Syrian Youth Empowerment Initiative

empowerment through education

Mission and Vision

The Syrian Youth Empowerment Initiative envisions a world in which all students from conflict zones have the opportunity to pursue their dreams of higher education, regardless of barriers posed by conflict. SYE empowers youth in conflict zones by providing a path to higher education to realize their potential and define their roles in their countries, societies, and the world.

2628

applicants since 2015

300+

students completed SYE programs

$40M

in scholarships offered to students

Our Programs

Prep Program

The Prep Program supports students from Syria starting their junior year, or those who seek additional support prior to our One Year Program. To promote college readiness, we provide students with programming to strengthen their verbal and written English skills, develop academic knowledge across fields, and prepare for standardized exams.

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One Year Program

The One Year Program provides one-on-one mentoring and financial support to students from Syria who are navigating the college application process, preparing them to begin undergraduate degrees at competitive universities worldwide the following academic year. SYE comprehensively covers application expenses while our volunteer mentors support students in identifying universities, preparing for standardized exams, and writing application essays. We work closely with students to both secure admissions and identify scholarship opportunities to cover the full cost of attendance.

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Grad Program

The Grad Program provides support to students from Syria who are navigating the graduate school application process. SYE assists students in preparing for standardized exams, including the GRE, GMAT, IELTS, and TOEFL, writing application essays, and the necessary application logistics. We also connect students with counselors and experts to receive additional guidance. We work closely with students to both secure admissions and identify scholarship opportunities to cover the full cost of attendance.

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Fund an SYE Student.

Students impacted by conflict are often unable to afford the hefty costs of application testing and fees. SYE’s comprehensive support eliminates this barrier. With your help we can fund a student through the application process.

Fund A Student

SYE Alumni

Ralph Estanboulieh

SYE Class of 2014/15 | Harvard University Class of 2021
Ralph is pursuing a joint degree in Chemical and Physical Biology and Computer Science with a secondary in Statistics and plans to pursue an MD/PhD program in the United States. While at Harvard, Ralph worked in Dr. Hidde Ploegh’s cancer immunotherapy lab and Dr. Douglas Melton’s lab. He served on the board of Harvard iGEM, a team that competes at MIT, directs the iGEM SynBiology Bootcamp, is an active member of the Harvard Undergraduate Robotics club, volunteers at Harvard’s homeless shelters, plays music for the elderly at senior homes, and serves as an interpreter at the Harvard Law School Immigration and Refugee Program. He also joined the Crimson Care Collaborative, a volunteering program that operates through Harvard Medical School and its affiliated hospitals, on their Operations and Research teams.

"Students from war-torn countries can offer a lot to the world too. They are an untapped source of innovation, opportunity, and talent. The circumstances we go through must not be perceived as a reason for disadvantage, but one for resilience and strength."
Massaoud Haider

SYE Class of 2018/19 | Harvard University Class of 2023
Masaoud plans to study Computer Science, and is considering a minor/double major in Statistics. During his first term, he took statistics and CS, classes usually taken in sophomore year, which he excelled in, achieving As and a total GPA of 3.89. In his first year alone, Masaoud participated in the Harvard Undergraduate Robotics Club, attended events by the Society of Arab Students and Woodbridge International Society and took a part time job on campus. Masoud has friends at Harvard from all around the world, and explored foreign food restaurants around the city, an experience he did not have in Syria.

"When I was back home, I always had to make the best out of what I have. I had to get as much as I could from my school and then continue studying and reading on my own. I had to teach myself programming and I had to do Robotics with very basic equipment. But now that I’m here, I have all the opportunities to learn. So, I take the hardest classes that I can manage and join every activity I can. I love my college and I’m thankful for all the chances available here."
Mark Jabbour

SYE Class of 2017/18, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Class of 2022
Mark is considering a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science with a concentration in either German or philosophy. Facing challenges in obtaining a U.S. visa, Mark arrived on campus a month and a half late yet was still able to acclimate to the campus environment, receiving high scores in his classes and participating in several extracurricular activities. He is most proud of obtaining an A- in his Algebra class, despite his late arrival. Mark’s favorite class so far has been a freshman seminar called “Mathematical Problem Solving,” which allowed him to meet students from the math community at MIT, and to learn from them as they presented his solutions, and he presented his own. During his first semester, he also participated in the William Lowell Putnam Math competition, and the Battle of Code competition. He has also been hired as a desk worker during MIT Ice Hockey matches and a tech caller, soliciting donations from MIT alumni.

"For most Syrian students, it takes exceptional dedication to get this far, and I know that we can accomplish a lot if we bring that dedication to our undergrad institutions."