A Journey From Egypt to Belgium: Reflections From a DFL Graduate
We are excited to share that one of our Scholars, Nancy Khaled, has graduated with a Masters in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (MSc) from Belgium’s University of Antwerp, one of DFL’s first academic partners in Europe. This month, we caught up with Nancy to celebrate her graduation and listen to her reflections on her academic journey and experience as a DFL scholar.
Takeaways From Graduate School
At the University of Antwerp, Nancy completed a 1-year bridging program followed by a 2-year Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, where she specialized in Neuroscience. The bridging program was a stepping stone for her Master’s degree as it taught her a lot about statistics and the scientific research process. After receiving an overview of the different specializations at her university, Nancy looked into each one in depth and ultimately decided on the specialization that was the best fit for her.
Contrary to her expectations, she found that the new curriculum was very different in teaching and learning methods to what she had been taught in her undergraduate degree. Nancy had previously completed a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (BSc) at Delta University for Science and Technology in Egypt. Despite the advanced level of the Master’s program, she was determined to do well and gained greater knowledge in the field of neuroscience.
“My Master’s specialization was in Neuroscience, which was new to me,” Nancy shared. “I studied many things that I didn’t learn about in Egypt, and learned about diverse neuroconditions including Parkinson’s, and had the opportunity to work directly with patients with those specific conditions to learn about treatments.”
When asked about her decision, Nancy expressed a deep satisfaction with her program selection. “I found that the UAntwerp program complemented my previous education. It will give me a boost when working in Egypt,” Nancy said. The topics she learned in her classes were both applicable and identical to what she encountered in the professional clinic setting during her internship in Belgium, which built her confidence.
Transition to Life Abroad
At first, Nancy felt nervous about adapting to life in a new country and environment. As someone who wears the hijab, she worried about Islamophobia. On her first day, she distinctly remembers not feeling any discomfort while walking through the streets. This experience gave her a sense of confidence and alleviated some of the stress she had been feeling in Brussels.
Friends from around the world helped ease the process, including some that helped Nancy advance her proficiency in Dutch and others who made excellent travelling companions on trips around Belgium’s scenic sites. In the clinic at her internship placements, her mentors and even patients were supportive, providing meaningful feedback that strengthened her language skills. An invaluable cultural integration course offered by the university that she enrolled in filled in the remaining gaps. As she immersed herself in the community, Nancy felt more at ease, and she developed increased flexibility and confidence. She shared that life abroad also helped shape her into a more well-rounded person with the ability to juggling many obligations including wellbeing, home and a healthy social life.
Nancy, pictured with her fellow DFL Scholars Rahma Elsayed and Grace Hanna on her graduation day, September 2025.
Overcoming Challenges
Nancy’s unfamiliarity with the scientific research process was an early challenge she faced academically. Prior to her graduate studies, she had limited information about research and no background in scientific authorship of papers.
Through leveraging the University of Antwerp’s extensive catalogue of resources, both analog and digital, covering all manner of research techniques, Nancy deepened her understanding of the research process. She took a further step by enrolling in a course designed to build her skills, and joined forces with friends to learn together. In the end, Nancy overcame her prior gap and successfully completed a thesis project, applying what she had learned and working confidently with real data.
The Impact of DFL’s Scholarship and Giving Back
Gratitude remained a prominent theme through Nancy’s interview, as she looked back on the impact of the opportunity. Expressing her thanks for the chance to obtain her Master’s abroad, she noted that her communications with DFL were always met with compassion and respect.
When she had to travel last minute and DFL coordinated urgently to get her home, it left a lasting impression, along with the foundation’s history of regular check-ins across different platforms, ensuring that support remained only a tap away for the duration of her program.
Lately, Nancy has supported newer DFL Scholars, including 2025 winner Hajer Radwan, newly enrolled in Ghent University, and remains connected with the foundation as an enthusiastic voice, raising awareness so that others might benefit from the same transformative opportunity she did.
Advice to Future UAntwerp Students and DFL Scholars
Reflecting on her experience at the University of Antwerp, Nancy emphasized the importance of making connections and being open to meeting with others to feel more at ease. “Try to make friends, and connect with those who took the same courses as you,” she advises. “They can offer you insight and can guide your studying focus.”
Nancy also stressed the importance of being on top of your studies. She mentioned that students should always attend in-person lectures as professors often share details you may not find anywhere else including tips for exams.
“If you struggle with the curriculum or the instructor, you must go and speak to the lecturer and coordinator,” Nancy shares. “They actually respect your thoughts and will take them into consideration. You don’t have to worry about being judged, don’t be afraid to speak up. When I did this, they offered accommodations and additional support.”
Future Plans
Although Nancy was initially interested in sports injuries, she discovered her passion after studying neuroscience. Over the next two years, she plans to pursue a PhD program. Before taking that big step, she intends to enroll in more practical courses and rejoin the workforce in Egypt, while also making sure to not neglect necessary rest and well-being. To give back to her community in Egypt, Nancy hopes to advance her career as a private clinic physiotherapist. Her aim is to continue to open doors for others by sharing what she’s learned and encouraging women to have faith in their ability to succeed.
We are incredibly proud of all of Nancy’s achievements and her successful completion of her Master’s degree. It is clear that her future is bright and we are excited to watch her continue to grow and excel, both personally and professionally.