First Syrian refugee student arrives in Mexico for university education

Essa Hassan, 26, on Wednesday arrived in the Mexican capital as the first of 30 Syrian refugees seeking to finish their university studies in Mexico.

Hassan, who arrived at Mexico City airport carrying the national flag of Mexico, was greeted by Gabriel Dominguez, head of the law faculty at the Panamerican University of Aguascalientes, and a group of students from the university.

While addressing a group of 20 journalists, Hassan recalled that he fled from his country for fear of being recruited by force into the army. After having spent time in a refugee camp in Jordan, he fled to Rome of Italy in search of a better life.

In his speech, he also said he "was happy" to be in Mexico and to be a part of Project Habesha, an international humanitarian initiative led by Mexico to help him and other Syrian refugee students to continue their higher education in the country.

"I greatly appreciate the welcome that the Mexican people has given me but I must also thank the project that will allow other young Syrians to study here," said Hassan with a big smile.

He will stay in Mexico City, the Mexican capital, for ten days before travelling to the central state of Aguascalientes, where one of the university's campuses is located. He will enter a six-month cultural integration program there.

During his stay in Mexico, Hassan will study civil engineering, gaining a skill set that is likely to be in high demand in Syria when the country rebuilds, according to Project Habesha spokesman Luis Samano. Endit