Shahad Al-Azazi came to Sweden as a 10-year-old and wanted to invest in her studies, but the language and distrust from those around her made her falter.
– Many said I won’t make it, says Shahad Al-Azazi in After Five.
But she made it. After sixth, Shahad jumped to eighth. Then she studied the eighth and ninth grades in one year and also got top marks.
Now she may become the country’s youngest student. Because soon, in just a couple of months, she will graduate from the science program at high school as a fifteen-year-old, two years ahead of her cohort.
Not always been easy
Shahad was born in Iraq in 2007 and moved with her family to the Netherlands when she was two. When she was ten, they moved to Södertälje and she had to start the fifth grade. She studied intensively and learned Swedish quickly.
But it hasn’t always been easy for Shahad who feels she wasn’t encouraged for her hard work in the beginning.
– It has been difficult in several different ways. When I first came here to Sweden, several people told me that I won’t make it, that I came to Sweden too late as a ten-year-old.
But Shahad’s mother, Zinah Azari, has always seen that her daughter has talent.
– She was very talented when she was a child. I am very happy and proud.
Do you have a dream job, Shahad?
– Surgeon.