Rabab Ali Abdi

Rabab was born in the Western Sahara refugee camp in Southern Algeria. She finished her primary education with outstanding scores despite the struggles inherent in living in a refugee camp. She then attended a boarding high school in Western Algeria, where she had to adjust to a different education system and a new foreign experience away from home and family at a very young age.

Rabab strongly believes in the power of education and the importance of its accessibility. She started a Mobile Book Club for refugees to promote reading and inspire critical thinking in which women in pick a social topic, read about it in books she provides, and then confer.

In 2011 Rabab completed her baccalaureate diploma and received the highest marks in the nation. Her exceptional performance and proficiency in three languages was recognized with a DAFI scholarship to complete a medical education at any university. She wishes to specialize in gynecology due to the scarcity gynecologists in refugee camps, but is also very interested in neurology.

Rabab is a sixth year medical student at the Djillali Liabes University of Sidi Bel Abbes in Algeria. She spends her summers volunteering and working as a medical assistant.