Student Spotlight: Saharo Ibrahim '23

Saharo Ibrahim is familiar with circumstances that require courage. 

“I’ve had to preserve through a lot in my life,” Saharo says. “I come from a refugee family, and we came to America back in 2004. I didn’t speak English, so I had to learn a whole new language.”

Even though elementary school was challenging, Saharo still loved learning.

“I was always that one kid who cried because it was the last day of school back in elementary,” Saharo says. “I loved school, especially the library. In third grade, during library time I would go to the section with the chapter books or find the Junie B Jones books and I would just go through the pages trying to read the words. My obsession with trying to read those chapter books got me to a point where I eventually could.”

Fast forward 18 years to the present day, Saharo is a first generation college student one semester away from graduating. Her passion lies in using her experiences to support others walking through similar experiences. She has her sight set on teaching in an elementary classroom of English language learners where students primary language is not English. 

“I’ve never been taught by a teacher that looks like me and that’s another reason why I want to be a teacher” Saharo says. “Students need to see representations of themselves in every field.”

With a bright future up ahead, Saharo recalls the people and experiences that have formed her along the way all of which inspire her to be the difference for others.

“I  had a lot of amazing teachers who took the time to get to learn more about me and went above and beyond for my family,” Saharo says. “A lot of the education staff at USF have had a positive impact on my learning. There’s just so much love and care that I have received from them. They have pushed me to go further even on the days when I was doubtful.”

Saharo wants to pay forward the support she has received from influential teachers in her life to her future students.

“I hope to influence those around the world who are just like me,” Saharo says. “We don’t all have to look alike to share similar experiences. I’m hoping to have an impact on family, friends, peers and even strangers who are striving to achieve more in their life but just need that extra push to do so.”