ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — June 4, 2025 – For 21-year-old Yonas Nuguse, the road to Harvard University has been anything but ordinary. Having survived the deadly conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, endured long stretches without internet access, and navigated the global COVID-19 pandemic, Nuguse finally believed this was the year his Ivy League dream would come true.
But just as his triumph was within reach, a fresh hurdle emerged — this time from across the Atlantic.
The U.S. government, under a Trump-era immigration policy still under judicial review, temporarily blocked prestigious universities like Harvard from enrolling new international students. The decision sent shockwaves through the global academic community, and for students like Nuguse, it has turned a dream long in the making into a nerve-wracking waiting game.
“I was shocked and devastated,” Nuguse told the Associated Press in an emotional interview from his hometown in Mekele, the capital of Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray region. “It’s like the door was finally open after all these years, only to be slammed shut again.”
A Journey of Grit and Resilience
Nuguse’s story is one of remarkable resilience. Born and raised in a region devastated by civil war and political unrest, he managed to complete high school despite the closure of many schools during the two-year Tigray conflict. His determination was unshaken even during periods of widespread communication blackouts and limited access to educational resources.
“Since my childhood, I often heard about Harvard, but I was never sure if I belonged there,” Nuguse said. “Then I heard someone from my school got into MIT. That inspired me to believe I could aim high too.”
That belief fueled years of disciplined study. After graduating from Kalamino Special High School — a prestigious institution in Tigray known for nurturing gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds — Nuguse took a gap year to prepare for the TOEFL English proficiency exam, a requirement for international students applying to U.S. universities.
He had to travel to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to take the exam — a significant logistical and financial challenge. Yet he scored near perfect on the TOEFL and achieved 675 out of a possible 700 on his national exit exams, an outstanding feat that made him the only student from his school accepted to Harvard this year.
“I owe this achievement to my family, my teachers, and my mentors. It was a proud moment not just for me, but for everyone who stood by me,” Nuguse said, his voice brimming with pride and humility.
Legal Battle Over Student Visas
Just as he was preparing for the next chapter of his life, the U.S. government threw international student plans into uncertainty. Under a continuation of Trump-era restrictions, elite American universities were informed they could no longer enroll new international students under certain visa categories unless students transferred to institutions offering in-person learning — a contradiction for universities like Harvard which balance online and hybrid models.
Harvard University, joined by other educational institutions, swiftly filed a lawsuit to challenge the policy. On Thursday, a federal judge extended a temporary order blocking the administration’s attempt to enforce the restriction, buying some time for students like Nuguse.
“The uncertainty is overwhelming,” Nuguse said. “I had already declined offers from Columbia University and Amherst College to commit to Harvard. Now, I don’t even know if I’ll be allowed to board a plane.”
Despite having already secured his student visa, he fears that the shifting legal landscape and disruptions at the U.S. Embassy could still keep him from beginning his studies this September.
“The embassy has paused student visa issuance and canceled all interviews,” he said. “But I hope it’s temporary. I still believe I can make it to Harvard.”
Harvard Encourages Hope
In a recent email, Harvard’s admissions office encouraged Nuguse to continue with his enrollment process, citing the ongoing court order in their favor.
“The message from Harvard gave me hope again,” he said. “They’re standing by international students, and that’s something I deeply appreciate.”
For now, Nuguse is holding onto that hope. He’s completing his course pre-registration and preparing his travel documents, while remaining realistic about the legal and political hurdles that may still come.
Education as a Lifeline
Nuguse’s story has resonated across Ethiopia, where many young people see education abroad not just as personal advancement, but as a way to eventually give back to their communities. As an aspiring economist, Nuguse hopes to return to Ethiopia one day and contribute to the development of policies that address inequality and foster sustainable growth.
“I want to use what I learn to help rebuild and uplift communities like mine,” he said. “Harvard is not the end of the road. It’s just the beginning.”
Despite everything, he remains grounded. He reads economic journals, stays in touch with mentors, and continues to support other young students navigating scholarship applications.
“This journey has been full of obstacles,” he said, “but every setback has only made me stronger.”
A Symbol of Perseverance
As global headlines shift from crisis to crisis, Nuguse’s story is a reminder of the human faces behind immigration policies and political decisions. His fight to reach Harvard is more than a personal goal — it’s a symbol of what is possible when talent meets opportunity, even in the harshest of conditions.
In the words of one of his former teachers at Kalamino High School, “Yonas is a beacon of hope for the youth of Tigray. His success shows us that even in war, dreams can survive.”
As the legal battle in the U.S. continues, one young man thousands of miles away waits — not with despair, but with determination.
