“How One 'No' Sparked a Movement for Education and Change others"
Join the journey of educational empowerment and discover how one decision can drive a global initiative.
The Setback That Changed Everything
“Have you ever had a moment where everything you thought you wanted, everything you worked for, slipped through your fingers? It happened to me when I was just 16. I applied to Egypt’s prestigious STEM high school program, a dream I had been chasing for years. And… I was rejected. Just like that. Rejected for not being ‘good enough,’ or so I thought.”
“At that moment, I remember sitting alone, staring at the rejection letter and cry, feeling like my world had just collapsed. The dreams I had nurtured for years seemed to vanish in an instant. It wasn’t just about the rejection; it was about feeling like I wasn’t good enough, like all my efforts were for nothing.
I had worked so hard to get into that program. Science was my passion, my path to a better life, and the rejection was crushing. But that day, something inside me sparked—not defeat, but determination. But as I sat there, something deep inside me refused to give up. It wasn’t anger, but a quiet, fierce determination. I decided that this rejection wouldn’t define me—no, I would rise above it. I wasn’t just fighting for myself anymore, but for everyone like me who deserved a chance, but didn’t get it”
Finding New Purpose
“So, I made a decision. Instead of focusing on what I didn’t have, I began focusing on what I could create. I wasn’t accepted into STEM, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t become the change I wanted to see in my community. I started looking around me—at my classmates, my friends, my neighbors. We were all facing the same challenges: growing up in rural Upper Egypt, where opportunities are limited and where the dream of higher education seems out of reach for so many.”
“In my small village , education was a luxury many couldn’t afford. But more than that, we didn’t have access to the resources, the guidance, the support that young people in cities took for granted. The inequality was staggering, and I knew then that my journey wasn’t just about me anymore—it was about helping those who felt powerless to find opportunities that could change their lives.”
From Rejection to Leadership
“Instead of dwelling on what I lost, I decided to focus on what I could build. I started looking around at my school and saw that so many students, just like me, were passionate about science but had no platform to explore it. That’s when I founded the Chemistry Club in 2019. What started as a small initiative in my local high school quickly grew to over 50 branches across Egypt. The goal? To make chemistry fun and accessible, while also enhancing students’ personal skills.”
“I led workshops, organized experiments, and even prepared students for national competitions. Our team participated in various chemistry competitions, and we didn’t just show up—we won. My journey wasn’t just about winning medals; it was about giving others the chance to see their potential and explore their passion.”
TEDx Youth Event - Spreading Ideas
“But I wasn’t done yet. In 2020, I took my leadership to the next level by organizing a TEDx Youth event in Minia. I gathered young visionaries from all over to share their stories, ideas, and innovations. This event wasn’t just about inspiring the audience—it was about proving to everyone, including myself, that no matter where you come from, you can make an impact. TEDx gave me a platform to show my community that our voices matter, our stories matter, and that we are capable of driving change.”
The Creation of ScholarX - A New Vision
“In 2022, my passion for empowering others led me to launch ScholarX, an initiative aimed at helping students across Egypt access scholarships and educational opportunities. I realized that the barriers I had faced in finding opportunities were not unique to me—thousands of students in rural Egypt faced the same challenges. ScholarX became the platform where we could break those barriers.”
“Through ScholarX, we provide mentorship, training, and guidance to students, helping them secure educational opportunities both locally and internationally. In just two years, we’ve helped over 5,000 students, partnering with over 30 organizations and international institutions to expand our reach.”
The Broader Impact - From Local to Global
“My journey didn’t stop in Egypt. Thanks to programs like the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) , the Ashoka and Schneider Electric Youth Development Program, Aspire leadership program and Microsoft for startups founders hub program , I gained a global perspective on youth empowerment and social entrepreneurship. These experiences taught me that the challenges we face in Egypt—like educational inequality and limited access to opportunities—are part of a much larger global issue. This realization inspired me to expand ScholarX’s mission beyond Egypt, aiming to connect students across the Mediterranean with life-changing opportunities.”
[ How SUSI Transformed My Life]
“When I was selected for the SUSI program, I knew it wasn’t just an ordinary cultural exchange—it was a life-changing opportunity. Despite the many challenges I faced before traveling, I believed that this opportunity was a treasure, and I was determined to make the most of it.
When I finally got to the U.S., it felt like a new world had opened up. Every lecture, every discussion was like fuel to a fire I hadn’t realized was burning inside me. For the first time, I saw the limitless possibilities—not just for myself, but for my community. It wasn’t just knowledge I was gaining; it was a vision for a future I knew I could help create. Through activities like the $100 startup challenge and market scanning workshops, I learned how to make my initiatives sustainable and continuously evolving. I also had the privilege of learning directly from the program director about designing training programs and cultural exchanges, which allowed me to enhance the quality of ScholarX, ensuring that we could support even more students.
A defining moment was meeting my mentor, a Harvard graduate, which reignited my childhood dream of studying at Harvard. Visiting the campus and building a network there made my dream of pursuing an MBA at Harvard more achievable.
In addition to the Harvard connection, I built valuable networks with local and international companies in the U.S., and I met people from diverse countries. This international network helped me expand my initiative beyond Egypt and reach more students worldwide.
One key element of my SUSI journey was working on the Community Action Plan. Through this plan, I focused on improving ScholarX by applying the skills and insights I gained during the program. My goal was to make ScholarX more effective, sustainable, and impactful. I worked on new strategies to expand our scholarship network, improve training programs, and increase the initiative’s reach across Egypt and beyond. The Community Action Plan gave me the tools and framework to ensure that ScholarX could continue evolving, providing more students with the opportunities they deserve.
But my journey didn’t end When I came back to Egypt, I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility. I had seen what was possible, and I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. It wasn’t just about me anymore. Every student I met, every young person I spoke to, reminded me of why I started this journey. I wasn’t just sharing opportunities—I was sharing hope, a hope that every young person deserves.
. I am now focused on ensuring that every student in Upper Egypt, and beyond, has access to opportunities, supported by the global community of US cultural exchange alumnis like myself.”
Rewriting the Narrative
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Power doesn’t come from personal success—it comes from helping others succeed. Through the Chemistry Club, TEDx, and now ScholarX, I’ve seen the impact that empowering others can have. It’s not just about changing one life; it’s about creating a ripple effect that touches countless lives.”
“I could have let rejection define me. I could have accepted that where I was born and the resources I had would limit me. But instead, I chose to rewrite my story. And now, I’m helping others rewrite theirs.”