From refugee camps to the cockpit: The story of Maya Ghazal, the first refugee to pilot a plane

Despite the difficulties and challenges refugees worldwide face, many have overcome obstacles, achieving remarkable successes.

Syrian Maya Ghazal became the first refugee in the world to obtain a pilot’s licence in the UK after overcoming many obstacles that stood in the way of her ambition.

Maya’s journey from Syria to the skies of the UK is not just a personal achievement, but a symbol of strength and determination, as Maya didn’t just overcome the difficulties of seeking asylum but fulfilled an exceptional achievement, proving that hope and hard work can turn dreams into reality, even under the most difficult circumstances.

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Maya was born in Syria and spent her childhood in Damascus before she and her family were forced to flee the war that broke out in the country. She arrived in the UK with her family as a refugee in 2015, when she was 16. Despite her hardships as a young refugee in a new country, Maya held on to her dreams and began her education in the UK.

Challenges she faced

At first, it was difficult for Maya to adapt to the new environment in the UK, as she faced language and cultural challenges, as well as the discrimination and prejudice that refugees may face in society. However, instead of giving in to these challenges, Maya worked hard to improve her English and integrate into British society.

Entering the aviation field was a major challenge, as aviation is one of the most technically demanding fields and requires extensive training. However, Maya was determined to achieve her dream of becoming a pilot.

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A post shared by Maya Ghazal | مايا غزال (@ghazalmia)

Her journey to the sky

Maya enrolled at Brunel University in London, where she studied aeronautical engineering. During her studies, she never stopped pursuing her dream of flying. After years of study and training, Maya became the first Syrian refugee to obtain a pilot’s licence in 2019.

Maya continued to work on improving her skills and developing her knowledge in the field of aviation. She plans to continue her education to obtain a commercial pilot’s licence, enabling her to work as a professional pilot.

Maya’s role as an advocate for refugees

In addition to her achievements in the field of aviation, Maya has also become a prominent activist in defending the rights of refugees. She has worked with many humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to raise awareness about the challenges facing refugees and promote success stories like hers.

Global impact

Maya’s story has spread across the world, becoming a symbol of defiance and determination. Her appearances at international conferences and television programmes have helped highlight the potential of refugees and their ability to overcome difficult circumstances to succeed.

Maya has become an ambassador of hope for millions of refugees facing harsh conditions around the world and a message that they can achieve the impossible if they are given the right opportunities.

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A post shared by Maya Ghazal | مايا غزال (@ghazalmia)

Maya has participated in many global events and conferences, such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, where she discussed refugee issues and the importance of education and youth empowerment. This has helped her solidify her role as an advocate for refugee rights.

Maya was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR in 2021 due to her continuous work defending refugee rights and inspiring many people around the world with her story.

In her position as a Goodwill Ambassador, Maya works closely with the UN to promote the rights of refugees, especially in the field of education, and believes that education is the key to enabling refugees to overcome challenges and build a better future. She inspires young people, especially girls, sending the message of the importance of education and hard work to achieve their dreams.

She has also participated in many international conferences and humanitarian events where she represents the voice of refugees and works to highlight individual success stories that demonstrate the strength of determination and persistence.

Her message to refugees

Maya uses her platform to advocate for equal opportunities for refugees in education and work and stresses the importance of investing in refugee youth as part of sustainable solutions to the refugee crisis. Her message revolves around hope and determination, emphasising that refugees can overcome difficulties and contribute positively to the communities in which they live.

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