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MARCH 5, 2026 • VOL. 59 NO. 1 • VANCOUVER, B.C.
Langara student Shahrad Nezamolmolki said after the Langara Persian Club met with the college about what can be done to support Iranian students, he feels that there is a pattern of nothing “coming to reality.” PHOTO BY LIAM ROBERT SCOTT
Worlds away, students adrift Iranian students feel unsupported amid war crisis
BY LIAM ROBERT SCOTT
A
s the conflict involving Iran intensifies, Iranian students say support at Langara College has been insufficient, despite the college’s assertion that it has prioritized counselling and outreach. The recent military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran has renewed calls for better support for Iranian students at the college. On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel began major coordinated air and missile strikes on Iran. The attack came after the Iranian government carried out mass killings of its citizens and imposed an internet blackout in the weeks prior. The chaos at home has affected Iranian students at Langara, many of whom have family and friends living there.
Ryan Sadeghi, a second-year computer science student from Iran, said the turmoil has made it difficult to focus on school while worrying about family back home. “I just couldn’t stop looking at the news whenever I wanted to start studying,” he said. “The extent of the killing was so much.” After the two-week blackout ended, his mother reached him by phone. “I just broke down on the phone with her,” Sadeghi said. Shadab Mahavarpour, the president of the Langara Persian Club and second-year biology student, said the club is supporting Iranian students, but encountered roadblocks. “We reached out to the counselling department to arrange a group counselling session for our students,” she said. “They told us that they are short-staffed and they cannot have a group counselling session.” Mahavarpour said a recent meeting with Langara Global, which assists international students, and college administrators has improved the club’s outlook. Persian club member Shahrad Nezamolmolki, a second-year
general science student, is less optiThe statement said over the past mistic about the club’s meeting with weeks, Langara Global and student the college. services have connected directly with “In the meeting, it’s always words student leaders, “including representhat are convincing,” he said. “But tatives of the [Langara Persian Club], then again, one week passes, two to better understand concerns and week passes, and then you see none ensure supports are accessible.” of that coming to reality.” “We know that the situation in Iran Nezamolmolki also said some has been deeply distressing for many students have experienced indiffer- Iranian students, faculty, and staff, ence from instrucand when unrest tors at Langara. affects regions He said a fellow where members Iranian student left of our commuclass after learnnity have close ing a friend had ties, our focus is been shot. He said on ensuring they — RYAN SADEGHI, COMPUTER SCIENCE the student was feel supported, STUDENT heard, and told shortly after it connected to was not a sufficient appropriate resources,” the statereason to miss coursework. “I feel like Langara College can ment said. do much more to help students,” It said Iranian students can access free counselling from the college as Nezamolmolki said. In an emailed statement to the well as external 24/7 mental health Voice, Langara’s communications supports Empower Me and Heredepartment said the college’s coun- 2Talk. International students can selling services have prioritized also ask their international student appointments for students experi- coordinators for guidance, referrals encing acute distress related to the and support navigating academic or events abroad. personal accommodations where
“I just broke down on the phone with her.”
needed. “Our priority is student wellbeing, and we remain committed to fostering a campus environment grounded in care, respect, and support during times of global uncertainty,” the statement said. Students should not bear the consequences of crises beyond their control, said Atif Kubursi, a professor emeritus of economics at McMaster University and former acting executive secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. “The faculty, the society, the universities have some moral obligation to tend over these people, to see how they might really help them deal with the deprivation they’re feeling,” he said. The renewed strikes and a fresh internet blackout in Iran have left Nezamolmolki both anxious and optimistic. “There is another blackout… it’s been more than a day that I do not have any connections with my friends and family,” he said. “If you cannot connect to them, the stress just starts to escalate.”