HUSNA JANBAZ

Guided by the Stars to Study Physics

When Husna Janbaz was a child in Kabul, Afghanistan, regular power outages on hot summer nights would throw the city into darkness—and make the stars “shine like diamonds.”

On those evenings Janbaz and her family would often head to their rooftop to have dinner under the stars, where Janbaz’s mother would point out the different stars and teach her young daughter their names.

“Stars were everywhere. I wanted to know where they come from, why they shine, and whether I could make a star; I had a wonderful time doing my homework under the stars,” Janbaz said.

In 2023, when Janbaz and her family immigrated to the U.S., Janbaz’s interest in the universe remained with her, this time looking up at the Pacific Northwest night sky.

The 18-year-old Federal Way resident enrolled in an Associate of Science in Physics at Highline College as a Running Start student.

“Growing up, I learned about the universe, the world around us, and brilliant scientists and their discoveries. These experiences significantly influenced my perspective and led me to study physics, the law of the universe,” Janbaz said.

Prior to arriving in the U.S., Janbaz and her family spent five years in Istanbul, Turkey. “Learning new languages, adapting to different environments, and building everything from scratch were huge challenges,” she reflected. “The hardships and struggles that I have experienced have made me the person I am today.”

At Highline, Janbaz said she joined clubs, attended events and took field trips. She described the transition to living in a new country as a significant mental and emotional challenge, but noted that Highline’s supportive environment helped her find her footing and sharpen her academic focus.

“Highline College is a great place and provides an opportunity for students who want more instructor attention in planning for their future,” Janbaz said. She credits all her instructors and in particular her physics instructor and advisor Dr. Aleya Dhanji for their “support and passion.”

Janbaz expects to graduate Highline by Fall 2026, and hopes to transfer to UW Seattle to pursue a degree in applied physics. Beyond her studies, she has her eyes set on a career working as a physicist in the clean energy industry.

Her advice for Highline students is to be open to everything and that everyone at Highline is happy to help. “Even when you face failure, take it as another way or reason to learn and grow,” she recommended.

As Janbaz put it, you can always look up at the stars to be reminded of how insignificant our problems are and to “not lose hope in this small world filled with opportunities.” Here in Washington state, she remains captivated by the cosmos, never tiring of the view above. 

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