Sponsored
‘Starting from zero was very challenging, but challenges are what make you stronger in life’
Sponsored By
Sponsored By
When first meeting Afghan refugee and intern at Eversheds Sutherland Safora Mohammadi, she speaks with a quiet but powerful determination, alluding to the obstacles she’s faced. Forced to leave her home in Afghanistan, she came to Ireland to not only seek a better life for herself, but to be an advocate for those who’ve faced similar injustice.
Safora Mohammadi grew up in Afghanistan’s southeast province of Ghazni with aspirations to be a diplomat and represent her people. She completed a political science degree in 2021 to help make that dream come true, finishing at the top of her class, which she credits to her parents’ unending support.
“My father is a big advocate of girls’ education. He sent my sister and me to the best available school and university, and I got my Bachelor’s in law and political science. I was very attached to my goals and was hoping to be a diplomat, serve my country and be a responsible citizen.”
So, when the Taliban took over Kabul, Safora and her family knew that they’d have to leave their home, and everyone they loved, in the hope of finding a better life.
August 15, 2021, started out like any other day for the then-22-year-old Safora Mohammadi. She woke up early and headed into her office in Kabul. But that morning, things quickly changed.
“I worked at a Dutch NGO at the time, and around 10am we received an email from security asking us to leave the office and go home – the Taliban had taken over Kabul. I was filled with fear and anxiety, and I felt like there was no hope. It was a very hard day for me. The whole way back home I thought that everything was finished. Millions of people’s hopes were just shattered in a matter of hours.
“With the help of my father’s employer, who was headquartered in Washington DC, we were able to get a visa for us to come to Ireland, but we couldn’t leave directly from Kabul. The whole airport was surrounded by the Taliban and American soldiers, and they wouldn’t let us leave, saying we should stay in our country and accept the Taliban regime. So we had to get another visa to travel to Pakistan first, then from Pakistan to Ireland.”
Nearly a month later, Safora and her family finally reached Ireland and were brought to a direct provision centre in Mosney, Co Meath. When I asked her to describe her feelings upon arrival, she gushed with gratitude and said she finally felt safe.
“I have found the Irish people very welcoming from the first day. I think they are very open people, friendly and sympathetic, and I’m so happy that I’m in Ireland. I’m very lucky.”
After settling in and adjusting to life here, Safora was eager to continue her career plans and started her search for a job. She signed up for employment training with the Dublin City University MELLIE Project, which supports international protection applicants and refugees, and she was able to secure an internship at law firm Eversheds Sutherland.
“Life is very random and sometimes things are not in your control. When we left our country, we left everything behind when we came to Ireland, so starting from zero was very challenging – but you always learn from challenges, and they make you strong. One thing I’ve learned is it’s so important to always believe in yourself and never give up.
“I was looking for a job for a while, so when I got offered the role at Eversheds, hope came back to me – I can’t explain how happy I was.”
Safora has had the opportunity to work in a few departments in Eversheds Sutherland, starting as an HR intern and now working with the litigation and dispute resolution team. At Eversheds, she feels as if she’s found her true calling.
“I like every part of my job, whether it’s a small task or a big task I’ve been given. My day-to-day work is researching, drafting legal documents, assisting in preparing hearings and files, and building and supporting the team. I’m enjoying it!”
She’s also found law to be closely aligned with diplomacy. “I think law is a lot like diplomacy. Diplomacy is managing international relations through negotiation, while law provides the legal framework within which these relations are conducted. International law provides legal rules governing diplomatic relations, enabling communication to offer security across boundaries without fear, intimidation, or exploitation. And, if you don’t know the law of your country, you can’t represent your country.”
The commute to and from the direct provision centre from Mosney to Dublin can be exhausting, Safora says, and it can be hard to make friends, but she chooses to stay optimistic.
“Mosney is about one hour from Dublin. Every morning, I wake up at 5.30am and take two buses to my office, but sometimes the bus is full, and we have to wait for an hour until the next one comes. I think living in direct provision isn’t anyone’s first choice, but at least we have a shelter where we can live safely. Something is always better than nothing!”
Safora has been able to integrate into her work culture at Eversheds and aptly appreciates their supportive environment. “Eversheds not only talks about diversity and inclusion, but they have it in practice. Look at me – I have a very different background as a refugee from Afghanistan, but they really support diversity in the firm. They are collaborative and inclusive and that’s the thing I love about working there.”
View this post on Instagram
Safora is also grateful that she can continue to follow her passion for law here in Ireland. “In every society (especially where I’m from), there’s always injustice. I’ve always hoped to become a humanitarian defender, to help promote justice in society, and to help protect innocent people’s rights.
“There’s a difference between justice and law. In Afghanistan, the Taliban is making it law for women to be confined to their homes and if they do go outside, they have to be accompanied by a man. They don’t have the right to study or work. This is just law.
“The real meaning of justice is that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social opportunity in a country irrespective of race, gender or religion. So, I actually see the real meaning of justice in Ireland, where women and men can study and work together.
“Now, working as a litigation intern with Eversheds Sutherland I’m looking forward to a bright future in Ireland. I’m doing my FE-1s at the moment and I hope I’ll become a solicitor one day.”
Eversheds Sutherland is the largest and most established international law firm in Ireland. Through the attraction and retention of the best, diverse talent, they are creating an inclusive, supportive, and respectful environment where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work and thrive, just like Safora.
If you have an interest in finding out more about a firm whose people live its values, are purposeful, purpose-led, and support their communities discover more at Eversheds Sutherland’s website.
Photography by Mark David Acoba Productions
Also Read
