Parnian, an Afghan Ambassador for Peace

AUAF intern and Wellesley College student Parnian Nazary spent her formative years under the Taliban, clinging tenaciously to education as a means to bridge differences.

"I am 21 years old and I am from Kabul." Years ago, when she was still a schoolgirl, her primary education progressed much the same as in many other countries, providing her the opportunity to distinguish herself. "I was ranked first in my class until seventh grade at Zarghoonah School."

The Taliban

"Taliban gained governance and closed our schools." For her and for many other girls who loved going to school, the tyrannous regime was a daily nightmare.

"Being prohibited from going to school was really upsetting." Pausing for a second, with a sincere smile on her face, she continues, "But my parents did not let the situation prevent me from going to school." Enrolled in a home school, she worked hard to complete her primary education.

"My father bought me books and English cassettes that were very rare and illegal to have at that time. It was hard to study, but I found education well worthy of obstacles such as Taliban." 

The English cassettes and her continued academic accomplishment at school paid off. "At the end of my ninth grade, I was selected for Seeds of Peace Program, a summer program in the U.S."

Continuing High School in U.S.

Describing the program that allowed her to study in the U.S., she says, "I gained a new vision and now I feel that every one of us should and can be an ambassador of peace by eliminating discrimination based on race, gender or anything else."

The program constituted a turning point in her life. "I met officials of a very good high school in the U.S. who later funded my education in their school." At Phillips Exeter Academy, the school that assisted Parnian, she proved herself ready to tackle both academic as well as cultural differences.

"There was a huge cultural gap." The first one she can think of is humor, "I did not understand my American friends’ jokes and looked like a serious person most of the time." On the academic side, she describes Phillips Exeter as challenging. "At Exeter, it was hard for Americans to meet the standards and even harder for me because I was new in U.S. and still weak in English language proficiency."

Although a novice at Exeter and in the U.S., the challenges Parnian faced during childhood broadened her management skills and strengthened her self-confidence, which led her to finding creative ways of excelling at a foreign school: "One of my best friends at Exeter was the smartest girl at school. She was my English, math and physics tutor and in exchange, I taught her Farsi and some Arabic."  

Parnian continues, "It was a fun exchange because I finally got to understand American jokes and laugh at them and she, at the end of the year, could teach me in Farsi." Graduating with an A- average, Parnian’s experience at Exeter paved her way to higher education.

"I realized that I want to work for women’s rights, peace and justice anywhere I can, especially in Afghanistan."

Wellesley College

Her good record at Phillips Exeter helped Parnian win a full scholarship to attend Wellesley College in the U.S. "I’m pursuing a degree in Middle Eastern Studies."

Parnian believes that the picture of Afghanistan amongst Western publics has been unacceptably distorted by war. "I try to amend this vision by making friends, wearing Afghan clothes and at times, throwing a Qabuli Palaw party for my American friends who would seat on the ground and eat with hands as Afghans do."

The AUAF

"I feel safe at home and at AUAF. The University is wonderful and the community is friendly here." During her summer vacation, as an intern in AUAF, Parnian works as a teaching assistant, as well as in the Student Affairs Office. About AUAF, she says, "AUAF is moving fast. We are currently working on residence policies as well as policies for the Student Government."

AUAF’s Student Government provides a forum for student expression, participates in the management of the University, fosters student-staff relations, instills University values, provides direction for student activities, and promotes the general welfare of the University.

Parnian is not the only member of the Nazary family at AUAF. "We looked for a good English training program and I found AUAF." Now, a brother and sister of Parnian (Romal and Toba Nazary) are students at AUAF Foundation Studies Program (FSP).

FSP is a program which prepares students for the challenging expectations of university degree programs, and also develops the high-level English language skills necessary to take on major employment positions in Afghanistan or abroad.

For the future, Parnian has a goal of social development in Afghanistan and says, "AUAF is a great educational facility. I want everyone to progress and I think AUAF is where they can start."