SAN DIEGO (Border Report) This fall, Nabeel Younis will set foot on California State University Channel Islands to pursue a degree in information technology as his journey from Pakistan to a life in the United States continues.

Younis originally left Pakistan five years ago to attend a youth conference in Panama, where he remained for two years working and saving money for his trek to the United States.

In late 2021, he and a group of friends, also from Pakistan, walked through Central America and Mexico where they were robbed, beaten and jailed.

“It was absolutely worth it,” said Younis. “I just wanted to have a sanctuary, a safe place to live, let alone go to college.”

Last Friday, he graduated from Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, California with an associate degree in computer and network technology.

After getting accepted by three universities, he chose Cal State Channel Islands where he will continue his formal education.

The school is located in Camarillo, California, about a two-hour drive south of San Luis Obispo.

“I’m going to get my bachelor’s degree in information technology,” he said. “Once I’m done with my degree I will definitely want to pursue a career in cybersecurity.”

Those who know Younis aren’t surprised by his success and expect big things from him.

“I knew he was going to go lots of places and he was not going to be held back by anything or any one person,” said Fitzgerald Kelly, Younis’ former sponsor. “It will work out really well for him.”

Kelly and other friends and supporters spoke to Border Report during a reception for Younis as they celebrated his academic achievements at Cuesta College.

“He works really, really hard, he just keeps at it,” said June Minikel, Younis’ landlady. “He sometimes spends half the night working, he’s going to go somewhere and someday we’re going to say we knew him when.”

Younis originally left Pakistan where he says as a Christian, he could not practice his religion in a Muslim country.

Now he’s hoping to bring his parents to the U.S. He speaks with them daily.

“My parents are aging,” Younis said. “Once I get my green card, I will get them here, it will likely be three years before I can do that.”