Amirah Aldagistani: "Now I am a mix of Portuguese and Syrian culture"

Sham and Amirah Aldagistani, two Syrian sisters, recently finished a chapter that had begun in their homeland: the Integrated Master's Degree in Dental Medicine. Their training was interrupted by the war, but thanks to a scholarship awarded by the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, they were able to resume and complete their studies at the Faculty of Dental Medicine of the UCP in Viseu.

The future dentists describe their time at the Viseu Regional Centre as "the most important thing that happened" in their lives. "Moving to Portugal was an experience that made me much stronger, more confident. I learned a lot," shares Sham.

The learning process was made possible by overcoming various obstacles, and thanks to a strong support network. It was only when they arrived in Portugal that they had their first contact with the Portuguese language, something that Sham confesses was a "great challenge", which they eventually overcame. "Yesterday I did my thesis defence and I wasn't nervous, because after my first year in Portugal, nothing is too difficult anymore."

The people they met, their colleagues, teachers, and the staff at the Faculty of Dental Medicine helped the sisters overcome the difficulties of integrating into a country with "a very different culture". Sham and Amirah fondly remember the support of Professor Filomena Capucho, responsible for international relations.  "She helped us a lot because she knew the difficulties we were going to have, she knew that our integration was going to be different from the students who come from Europe," explains Sham.

Along with everyone who lent a hand, Amirah believes that having her sister close by was one of the most important things of this experience. Despite being different ages, they stayed in the same class. "It helped a lot that we were always together. We gave each other support."

Grateful for the opportunity that the Universidade Católica has provided them, the sisters see the awarding of scholarships to refugees as "very important initiatives". "This opportunity doesn't just help one person. It helps many people survive in the most difficult situations. It helps families and communities," Sham explains.

Amirah and Sham hope that the scholarship programme can open the door to "refugees who have not been lucky enough to complete their studies" in their country and thereby "improve their future." With this experience, they will forever take with them a part of Portugal, and of Viseu, where they dream of staying to practice dentistry, and where they have left their mark on the community.

"I think our colleagues also learned a lot with our presence, it was a richness for both sides", comment the future dentists. Fans of Portuguese cuisine, Amirah confesses that she already knows how to "make octopus à lagareiro and cod with cream", typically Portuguese dishes. "Now, I think I'm a mixture of Portuguese and Syrian culture, it's very beautiful."