Syrian students explore college education online
Good universities can be hard to find in a country besieged by war for seven years, so some Syrian students are turning to online schools to pursue their education.
As parts of Syria remain besieged and others are inaccessible, students unable to make it to colleges are finding virtual universities a practical alternative.
Syria and the lives of its people have changed drastically during the nation's seven-year civil war. After the revolution began in 2011, the Syrian regime launched military operations across the country, blocking roads and the entrances to some cities such as Hama, Daraa and Homs. The regime was able to recapture some cities from the opposition, but in others, opposition forces stood their ground.
As it became clear that the crisis was nowhere near ending, Syria’s youth started looking into alternatives to the universities they were unable to attend. Some studied in their homes; others joined educational centers within their besieged areas.
Online universities became the most convenient solution. The University of the People (UoPeople), an American school based out of Pasadena, California, has been the choice of 600 students throughout Syria, a good number of whom live in besieged Ghouta.
