Gaza students’ journey to Western stalled by war and immigration barriers

When Mohammed Masri received admission to Western Washington University in September 2025 followed by a scholarship offer in October, he believed his dream of continuing his education had finally become a reality. But his hopes of starting classes in Bellingham soon collided with reality, since the 22-year-old mechatronics engineering student remains in Gaza, blocked by closures and visa requirements he cannot physically meet.

“I felt immense joy that made me forget, even briefly, all the suffering and pain I was living through,” Masri wrote in an email.

With the help of (WWU Libraries') Clarissa Mansfield, a Bellingham resident who has been supporting his family, Masri was able to qualify for the scholarship opportunity at Western.