The International Center for MultiGenerational Legacies of Trauma is delighted to congratulate Shireen Alkalo, a valued member of the ICMGLT Ezidi Working Group, on earning her Master’s degree in British Literature and Cultures from Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, also known as the University of Bonn, in Germany.

This achievement represents far more than the completion of an academic program. For Shireen, it is the culmination of a long and difficult journey marked by perseverance, personal loss, determination, and hope.

Reflecting on her graduation, Shireen shared that she earned her degree despite the many challenges that attempted to stand in her way. She continued forward through closed doors, uncertainty, grief, and the profound absence of her mother.

“Every time fate told me to stop, I whispered back, ‘I will continue,’” she wrote.

Today, Shireen celebrates not only her academic success, but also the strength that carried her through every difficult moment.

“I succeeded. I graduated. I became a holder of a Master’s degree—not because the path was easy, but because I refused to let fate write my ending.”

Shireen dedicated this accomplishment to the memory of her mother, whom she described as her first and lasting source of support. She also expressed her gratitude to her life partner, Behzad, and to everyone who offered encouragement and brought light to her path during challenging times.

The ICMGLT community is proud to celebrate this important milestone with Shireen and recognizes the courage, resilience, and dedication that made it possible.

Congratulations, Shireen, on this remarkable and well-deserved achievement.