Balancing education with the responsibilities of family life is never easy—especially for someone restarting life from scratch. Lara Benyamin, a student in the English Department at the Catholic University in Erbil, is doing just that. A mother of three, she is proving that with perseverance and faith, it’s never too late to continue the journey you once had to pause.

Lara was raised in Baghdad and graduated from high school in 2003. She was accepted to the University of Mosul’s College of Arts, where she planned to major in English—her lifelong passion. But that same year, the Iraq War erupted, upending life for millions and delaying Lara’s studies by two years.

She began her university education in 2005, but escalating violence and security risks—including bombings and kidnappings—made attending classes in Baghdad extremely dangerous. By her second year, Lara was forced to make a heartbreaking decision: to quit school in order to protect her life. In 2007, she and her family relocated to Erbil for safety, leaving everything behind.

Life moved forward—Lara got married and had three children. But her dream of earning a degree never left her. In 2021, nearly two decades after graduating high school, she enrolled at the Catholic University in Erbil on a scholarship—once again choosing to study English. “We always make plans in our lives and worry about what the future holds,” she said. “But God has already prepared the path for us.”

Returning to university as a wife and mother was not without challenges. When she started classes, her youngest son was just six months old. She was on maternity leave from her government job and often rushed home during breaks to breastfeed. “I felt that God gave me that one-hour break to take care of my baby,” she reflected. Even during final exams, when her infant fell sick and required her care through sleepless nights, Lara stayed committed and passed all her exams.

At times, she considered quitting. But her husband offered her a perspective that stayed with her: “Whether you quit or continue, those four years will pass—but the outcome will be either regret or pride.” Her sister, classmates, and teachers also encouraged her to persevere.

Now in the final stages of her degree, Lara is full of gratitude—for her family’s support, her classmates’ kindness, and her professors’ encouragement. “I have three boys at home, and I consider my university friends like daughters,” she said warmly.

As she nears graduation, Lara carries a sense of pride that was hard-earned. “I am really proud of myself. I will work hard to fulfill my dreams in the best image so that when I graduate, I will proudly say I am a CUE graduate.”

Her message to others facing obstacles is one of hope and vision:

“Hardships may last a short or long time—but if we keep our eyes on the moment we receive the certificate and wear the graduation cap, we’ll know the challenge was worth it.”