The Value of Education

7,000 miles to EOU

For Eastern Oregon University freshman Mohtarama “Mary” Qazizada, education is a birthright. Mary is passionate about a woman’s right to education, but more importantly she believes learning is the key to changing the world for the better.

Mary was born and raised in Afghanistan and is deeply saddened as she watches her homeland “stagger backwards.” Women in the war-torn country are denied access to education. “It is a basic right for every human being to have, or to get, an education. It makes us better human beings and better citizens; it helps us develop opinions, character, and a better way of solving the problems around us,” Mary said. “If we are educated we can better serve our society, our country, our community. That is why education is important.”

The 21-year-old freshman computer science/IT management major waited five years after her father left Afghanistan to make her own journey to the United States. Her father had previously immigrated to Oregon, following Mary’s older sister. While the family is back together again, the journey was fraught with uncertainty.

In 2017, Mary’s father fled Afghanistan, but was unable to take his children. Mary and her three brothers later left their home for Turkey when it became clear they were at risk for retaliation and their safety was threatened.

Although the separation from his children was difficult, Mary understood her father left to make a better life for his children, and “make opportunity possible.”

Early in Mary’s life her father would take her to American University in Kabul to learn English. Mary remembers hiding her books so as not to arouse suspicion and waiting after class for her father to pick her up to get her home safely.

Mary said this is where she inherited the value of education.

“No matter what the obstacles are, we have to do our best to get that education,” Mary said.

After Mary arrived in Oregon she waited a year to establish residency before applying to EOU.

“I loved it, I was so excited for the term to start,” Mary said.

Mary credits much of her success to her professors and the connections they have with students.

“They are passionate about what they are doing. They are more than happy to help you if you encounter any problems or difficulties.  They go beyond their responsibilities,” Mary said. “They always help you in the best possible way. They are passionate, they are kind, they are very knowledgeable people.”

Mary said she could say a lot more about her professors but does not have the vocabulary in English yet.

If she could share her secret to establishing a relationship with professors she said it is vital to value your own time, and theirs. Mary said students should use this opportunity to, “make ourselves better people.” As a Mountaineer, who traveled more than 7,000 miles to start at the university, Mary said education has a moral and ethical value beyond financial considerations.

“We should try the best we can in educating ourselves and ask for help, the professors are more than happy to help us. Never underestimate the importance of office hours, those are really important,” Mary said.

While in Turkey, Mary said she could not speak her native tongue without upsetting Europeans, but, “when I came to La Grande, not only was I able to talk in my native language, people were very curious, they would ask questions about my culture.”

“One thing that would be important for people to understand is that it might take time to understand the culture. Although La Grande has been patient, it is important to understand it might take time to adapt,” Mary said.

Although she is half-way around the world from where she was born, Mary said she thinks about the women in Afghanistan who have no access to education.

“When half of the society can’t educate themselves, how is that society going to turn out?,” she wonders. “If they are given the chance for an education, if they are given the chance to use their creativity the world can be a much better place. We have seen that through the years how educated women have impacted not only our workforce but how mothers raise their children. If mothers are educated they can raise better children, and better children would make a better society. It makes me sad to see women in my homeland not have access to education,” Mary said. “If you want a better society, educate the women.”

While there are differences between her native country and Oregon, Mary said she finds La Grande friendly and accepting.

“That’s one of the things I love about the whole community,” Mary said. When asked if she feels like she belongs, Mary said unequivocally, “oh yes, very much so.”