Nabin Dhimal’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of lived experience. Born in Nepal, Nabin spent the first 14 years of his life in a refugee camp, stateless and without access to many basic rights. This profoundly shaped his career and life goals. When his family was resettled in the U.S., he became the first in his family to graduate high school and college—a major milestone that broke barriers for him and his community.
Growing up without citizenship, Nabin was keenly aware of the obstacles facing refugees and stateless individuals. This motivated him to fight for those who are often left behind, and it also sparked his passion for advocacy as the way to effect change. Today, Nabin is a Program Manager at Lutheran Community Services Northwest, a nonprofit organization focusing on refugee resettlement. His role holds special significance as he was once a client of the same organization, relying on their services when his family first arrived in the U.S.
Nabin is also pursuing a Master’s degree in International Migration and Refugees at Georgetown University. “The Bryce Harlow fellowship provides me with a valuable network of mentors and peers in advocacy, all committed to making an impact in the world through public policy,” said Nabin.
He sees the Bryce Harlow Fellowship as an essential stepping stone in his journey and hopes to continue focusing on policy and education for refugees and stateless individuals around the world. Nabin’s passion for creating systemic change — at a grassroots level or working on global policy — exemplifies how those who have faced the greatest challenges often have the most to give.
