Meet Sophia Barghouti 

Political Science major, Arabic, Middle Eastern & North African Studies minor, Class of 2027 

Sophia Barghouti, class of 2027, arrived at the University of Oregon from Beaverton, with three goals: attend class, work hard, and graduate. As a student from a financially needy family, relying on scholarships to cover bills and essentials, she never imagined studying abroad—let alone traveling the world. 

“I was just expecting to go from Beaverton to Eugene and stay in that space,” she says. “I didn’t really think about what was beyond.” 

The Moment Everything Changed 

Now a junior majoring in political science and Middle Eastern and North African studies, Sophia’s path looks very different. 

The shift began during her freshman year: on a whim, she applied to the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights. Sitting in her dorm room, she opened the acceptance email and started jumping up and down with her roommates. It was the first time she had been accepted into something that felt truly big—global. 

“That was the moment,” she says. “I realized I could actually achieve dreams beyond what I ever imagined.” 

Building on that success, one opportunity led seamlessly to another. She participated in the Global Peace Summit, continued pursuing international human rights work, and, most recently, became the first UO student accepted into the Public Policy and International Affairs Program Junior Summer Institute at the Harvard Kennedy School. 

Her connection to the Harvard Kennedy School program came through the university’s Office of Distinguished Scholarships. Designed as a preparatory experience for students considering graduate study, the institute mirrors the rigors of a master’s in public policy. For Sophia, this opportunity was eye-opening.  

“It helped me understand what a master’s in public policy actually looks like,” she says. “It’s not just political science —it’s economics, quantitative work, things I wasn’t always confident in. And it made me realize this is exactly what I want to do.” 

A common thread runs through all her experiences: international human rights. Sophia hopes to work in the nonprofit or non-governmental organization space focused on refugee rights and global justice. She plans to pursue a master’s in public policy and later a law degree to strengthen her advocacy.  

However, Sophia recognizes that none of these achievements would have been possible without financial support. 

Turning Opportunity into a Reality

Still, these opportunities brought practical challenges. After her initial excitement about Oxford faded, reality set in: how would she afford the plane ticket from Eugene to the U.K.? By combining scholarships—including campus-based funding and support from the Office of Distinguished Scholarships—the opportunity became a reality. 

“Having that financial stress lifted is huge,” she says. “It means I don’t have to think, ‘You got in, but you can’t afford to go.’ It lets me actually be excited.” 

The impact has been both professional and deeply personal. Sophia describes herself as once shy and hesitant to speak up — traits that don’t readily align with a future in human rights advocacy.

“In these spaces, you have to use your voice —not just for yourself, but for others,” she says. “Through these experiences, I’ve grown more confident. I’ve become comfortable speaking up.”

Expanding What’s Possible 

For Sophia, donor support ignites endless possibilities, helping students to discover their own potential and inspiring belief in an extraordinary future.  

“A small girl from Beaverton doesn’t think she’s going to Oxford or Harvard,” she says. “But because of this support, I’ve been able to go beyond what I thought I could reach.” 

Now, instead of just hoping to get by, Sophia is building a global career in service, policy, and justice —demonstrating that when support and opportunity meet, students’ futures can extend far beyond what they ever imagined.