Family business in future plans

Originally from the Hazara minority in Afghanistan, Abdullah came to New Zealand as a refugee from Pakistan with his family in 2018.

The Bachelor of Commerce student, majoring in marketing with a minor in supply chain management, eventually wants to set up a family business with his two older brothers.

As well as studying commerce, he is part of the Future Leader Scholarship Programme, which provides students with opportunities to contribute to the community.

Abdullah has a head start in this area. When he was a pupil at Linwood College, he produced a book called A trip around the world, to share stories with other students about different cultures. His aim was to help counter any racist ideas the pupils may encounter in society as they grew up.

The book was part of a young enterprise scheme, with copies now available in the Christchurch Library. He already has ideas for a second edition, which will include an even more diverse range of cultures.

After a short time at Lincoln, Abdullah is already appreciating the diversity on campus and the appreciation of Muslim culture, especially in terms of the food options available.

He is also grateful for the availability of the lecturers, which he doubts would be a feature of a bigger university, and he values the study assistance he can get from Learning, Teaching and Library (LTL).

Abdullah recommends that students ask for help when they start, because it is readily available.

He describes the Future Leader programme as “amazing”, and says everybody is very friendly, interested in his culture and committed to making him feel part of the student family.