Back in 2015, in response to the refugee crisis, the JCR and MCR proposed a new campaign: to create a refugee scholarship, reflecting Balliol’s long-standing commitment to admitting outstanding students regardless of their background. Thanks to the support of hundreds of Balliol students making gifts of £4 a term, matching funds from the regular support of many Old Members, and the generosity of an anonymous major donor, the first recipient, Sulaiman Wihba, took up his place here in 2018.
Nobody would have guessed that some boy with his mum on the way from Syria to England would end up at Oxford. It’s been quite a journey. We left Syria in June 2015, and I arrived in the UK in September 2015 after a couple of months going around the world. I applied to Oxford because it’s a great city, and because of the University’s reputation. Even before coming to the UK I’d heard of Oxford. I’d always been fairly good at Maths and found it fun: that’s why I wanted to do it for four years.
I got the offer from Balliol, my parents were so proud. My dad, who’s a bit of a show-off, would go to the supermarket and say ‘my son who is going to Oxford’. My favourite thing about Oxford is the tutorials: the fact that I sit down with my tutors and talk about maths for a couple of hours. I don’t know where else (apart from Cambridge) you’d have the chance to discuss a subject you enjoy with a world-leading expert and just one tutorial partner.
In terms of social life, Balliol’s great. I’m making a lot of friends and also doing rowing and rugby. While I’m at Balliol I hope I’ll do a bit of volunteering. Other than that, I’m keeping an open mind. It’s just great to be at Oxford, because you’re presented with so many opportunities.
I can’t ever thank those who gave to the scholarship enough for doing that. It’s overwhelming. I hope I can pay back. I’m speechless.
Sulaiman Wihba (2018, Mathematics)Inaugural holder of the Balliol Students’ Scholarship
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