Korim Ullah Turns Challenges Into Opportunities Through Education and Service

It set him on a path to his future and aspirations. The other piece to this puzzle was enrolling at Aims Community College. 

Born in Myanmar, also known as Burma, Korim fled his home in 2016. Violence and persecution displaced his family. At 13 years old, Korim left with his mother, grandmother and four younger siblings. The family found a temporary home in India.

For Korim and his family, refugee life came with challenges. They often had to overcome barriers that many people never encounter to access education, secure employment and navigate daily life.

"I struggled every day," Korim said. "Going to school was difficult because of the refugee documents. Many people did not understand what it meant to be a refugee."

Despite those challenges, Korim remained focused on his future. Through the U.S. refugee resettlement program, Korim came to Colorado. This opens a door to new opportunities.

This summer, Korim is completing an associate degree in liberal arts at Aims with plans to transfer to the University of Northern Colorado in the fall.

A Pathway to the Future

Growing as a scholar has always been one of Korim’s highest priorities. "As the oldest son, education was most important for my family," he said. "I had it in my mind that education can change my family and give us the opportunities we want in life." He was the first person from his village in Myanmar to pursue higher education. 

While living in India, Korim went to school despite the challenges of refugee life. After arriving in the U.S., he set his mind on continuing to learn. In Summer 2024, Korim enrolled at Aims.

Adjusting to a new educational system required patience and persistence. Learning new technologies, navigating online coursework and adapting to an unfamiliar college environment were all part of the transition. Fortunately, he found support across campus.

"The resources at Aims Community College are amazing. The most important thing was the support that I was getting."

He found guidance both inside and outside the classroom through his instructors and campus services. "The Student Commons, my instructors and the online resources were all there," Korim said. "If you have any problems, you can reach out to them. They can connect you with someone who can solve your problems. It was great."

The Aims2UNC program is a major way that guides him toward his next step. It allows students to complete classes at Aims while preparing for a smooth transition to UNC, helping them save money and stay on track. "They took me to UNC for a campus visit, gave me resources, set up an appointment with my UNC advisor and I completed my registration. Everything was done."

At UNC, Korim will pursue further study in political science and legal studies. He hopes the combination of disciplines will prepare him for law school and a future career focused on public service, immigration policy and advocacy. "Political science helps me understand what's happening in the world," he said. 

Inspired to Serve 

Korim's interest in public policy and helping others didn't begin in a classroom. It grew out of the experiences that shaped his life.

Before arriving at Aims, Korim was already building a foundation in advocacy and public service. From 2022 to 2024, he worked as an interpreter for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration and the U.S. Embassy in India. He also served as a youth leader with the Azadi Project and completed internships with Umid Ki Udan and the Migration and Asylum Project.

Today, Korim continues that commitment to service as a community educator with Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains. Drawing on his own experiences as a refugee, he helps newly arrived families navigate life in the United States by teaching digital and financial literacy, transportation, healthcare and U.S. laws while connecting them with resources that help them become self-sufficient.

Outside of work, Korim continues to advocate for refugee communities. He is a member of the Colorado Refugee Speakers Bureau and enjoys sharing his story with a variety of audiences. Korim also spoke at last year’s Concordia Annual Summit as a refugee youth speaker.

Through these experiences, Korim has seen firsthand how public policy and laws shape people's lives. "Politics is more than elections," he said. "It's about policy and how decisions affect people and communities."

Those experiences continue to shape his future. After transferring to UNC, Korim plans to study political science and legal studies before eventually attending law school. He hopes to build a career in public service, immigration policy or international affairs with organizations like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the United Nations.

Encouraging Others to Dream Bigger

As Korim has found success at Aims, he has also become an advocate for higher education within Northern Colorado's refugee community.

Through his work and personal connections, he regularly meets refugees who are unsure whether college is an option for them. Korim shares his own story, explains the opportunities available at Aims and encourages them to continue their education after high school. "When people finish high school, I tell them my story," Korim said. "I tell them what I did, and I encourage them to continue their education."

For many refugees, hearing from someone who has overcome similar challenges makes all the difference. Korim said he finds it especially rewarding to see others follow a path similar to his own. "It's really amazing to see them continuing their education," he said.

Korim's journey at Aims shows how education can manifest exciting opportunities and inspire others to succeed.