“How I Climbed out of Hopelessness” | Oudai Tozan | TEDxUniversityofGlasgow

In this talk, Oudai shares his story, especially how some key moments in his life shaped his belief and motivations. With his personal story, he hopes to inspire you to follow your goals undeterred by the difficulties you may face.

Oudai holds two master’s degrees, is a winner of the Chevening Scholarship, and a previous champion in swimming. He has a strong passion for learning, as well as development and community service and he plans to devote the rest of his career to this.

[ralcesh]

“Failure is you taking a break on your journey.” I’m gonna remember that, thank you sir!

[danielhemandeng]

I am suffering the depression and gradually losing hope toward life but your stories inspired me a lot and helped me realize how grateful I should be towards what I already have now. Thank you

[BipinRaviEkka]

You gave me a tight slap life is way better & I'm drowned in hopelessness caused by myself...You gave me strength to climb out of it....Thank you.

[jamesvick]

An inspiration beyond most! I salute and thank you!

[polyglotornot]

Funny how similar this hits. Balancing responsibilities with income and language learning. Having to get up at ungodly hours to practice something that you can't practice in your home country. The lack of some basic human necessities like food and consistent shelter. Poverty is nothing like a warzone but in some ways relate to the specific obstacles. Needed this tonight. Also doing it all alone.

[mylilpieceofheaven]

I felt distressed by failures and now feeling better listening to and writing down your messages even before having my problems solved. Thank you.

[ferasalshwikani]

From Damascus, Syria
From all the students here who are still have been suffering from the same circumstances you had underwent one day,
god bless you sir we are so proud of people like u to tell our daily story to the world
and we still waking up every day to achieve our goals and face the world smiling :) regardless of the WAR

[bhimkallu]

It's so strange how easily we give up and you stand in even worse of a crisis. It's so true we always blame others for our problems instead of taking steps to make life better. Thanks for this lovely talk.

[tintunton]

If you are aimless or experiencing lowness, try reciting "Al Haadi, Al Rahim" 100 times everyday. The creator will guide you in few days InshaAllah.

[ibby]

What an amazing person! I lived in Syria for three years. Such a beautiful country with loving people like this man. So sad what has happened there. I'm happy and inspired by his story. I hope Syria returns to safety and peace, but with freedom and justice.

[khaliddurrani]

‘’Don’t surrender’’, so incredible, I salute you my friend, I adore your and i envy you.

[kellymarose]

This deserves so many more likes. This guy is awesome. Keep doing what you're doing, Oudai. Thank you for the talk. You're an inspiration!

[Risingphoenixx]

My heart goes out to all people in warzônes and i, m sending all my love. Great respect for this man who achieved so much and endured so much. Admire your strenght and wanted to share his story .

[sarfrazshah]

yes i am feeling motivated ...someone wake me up tomorrow

[nagaykei]

you don't need to be in a warzone just to lose hope sometimes it can just be from the bad decisions that you made I'll take these into heart and hopefully get out of the grind

[jasminejones]

What a great man WOW looks like there is hope for the world after all (as long as there is more people like him in this world HOPEFULLY there IS ! )

[farahsummers]

Wow! I don't know you so this may sound odd but as one human to another I'm proud of you! You are an inspiration truly & I thank you for your powerful words & for sharing your incredible story. Stay well, strong & the beautiful human being you clearly are! Your wife & child are blessed to have you!

[AHMADSHARAF]

I am so proud of you oudai, all the best mate

[andreiardeleanu]

I don't know if you see this, but - amazing and deeply inspiring talk, Oudai Tozan! Wish you and your people peace & blessings. Thank you

[sab_]

Around 1915, my tita (grandmother) fled Syria due to war and persecution. Traveling alone and speaking no English, she came to the US. to marry my grandfather. His first wife passed away, leaving him two children. Tita bore him three more. He too died young. Tita provided for five small children through the Depression, loving his children as much as her own until she died in 1985.