1990 was a special year for me. I graduated from high school to admission to the College of Agriculture at the University of Baghdad.

October 2, 1990 was the first day and I had a wonderful day with a feeling that cannot be described.

The days passed quickly, but the joy was short-lived. The war between Iraq and the US Coalition broke out, after the Iraqi forces’ occupation of Kuwait.

The war was harsh and the Iraqi people paid human and economic sacrifices. In any case, the war ended and it left grief in every home.

I graduated from college with honours in 1994. I was the fourth in the Department of Food Science. I had ambition to complete my study outside Iraq, but I faced the bitter reality of the economic blockade in my country and the rule of dictatorship.

In 2003, the United States led again an alliance against Iraq "to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein" to bring a democratic system in Iraq, but we faced terrorism and daily killings of innocent people in different ways like car bombs, explosive device and kidnapping people.

In such hard conditions, I got the opportunity in 2008 to complete my master’s degree in the University of Basra, but the ambition is still standing inside me to complete my study outside Iraq.

Finally, the hope become reality and I got what I was dreaming of. I got a scholarship from my country to complete my study (doctoral degree) outside Iraq.

Since I've been in the master's stage, I had motivation I would get this hope. Australia was my goal. It is a developed country and is remarkable in agricultural studies.

This is what happened – I got admission to the University of New England in 2014. I came to Australia with my family. I felt great happiness - finally my goal is achieved.

The first day we arrived here, we found what we lost in our country: safety. My family is very happy with the new life, my children have Australian friends and my wife learns English at the Uniting Church.

The amazing thing is we visited what we saw on YouTube – Dreamworld and Movieworld. Yes, it is a wonderful thing to see your dreams become real.

Actually I am planning to visit most beautiful places in Australia (if I have the enough money to do that I pray to God to achieve that). I think I have the opportunity now to do many things that I did not get before, especially improve my English and gain experience in cereal chemistry from my supervisors.

Thanks to everyone who helped me in this matter and thank you, Australia.