Northern Ireland

Ireland-based medical student name-checked by President of European Commission `incredibly honoured'

Suaad Alshleh, an 18-year-old Syrian refugee and medical student, was name checked by President of European Commission during her state of the union address
Suaad Alshleh, an 18-year-old Syrian refugee and medical student, was name checked by President of European Commission during her state of the union address Suaad Alshleh, an 18-year-old Syrian refugee and medical student, was name checked by President of European Commission during her state of the union address

A DUBLIN-based medical student, who was name checked by President of European Commission during her state of the union address, has told how it was "a complete, complete surprise".

Suaad Alshleh said she did not know about President Ursula von der Leyen's comments until she received a phone call and email from the Royal College of Surgeons, where she is studying medicine.

In the address, the commission president spoke of the need to harness the skills, energy and talent of refugees in building a future for the EU.

"I think of Suaad, the teenage Syrian refugee who arrived in Europe dreaming of being a doctor," she said.

"Within three years she was awarded a prestigious scholarship from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland".

The president urged members of the EU parliament to think of what Ms Alshleh and others had overcome, and achieved, when considering the EU’s capacity to manage the question of migration.

Ms Alshleh said the comments had left her parents feeling "over the moon".

Having come to Ireland with her mother at the age of 14, seeking refuge from the war in Syria, the pair were later joined by her father.

Last year, during her first year at the RCSI, she was awarded the Professor William C Campbell bursary.

Ms Alshleh said she does not know how Ms von der Leyden discovered her story but said she felt "incredibly honoured and so happy and grateful to be able to represent RCSI, Ireland and Syria in this light."

"It was crazy," she said, adding that her parents were "over the moon; super-proud".