Rukhsar Habibzai - From Kabul to the Commonwealth

Rukhsar Habibzai - From Kabul to the Commonwealth

Virginia is powering Rukhsar's progress—in the clinic and on the bike.

ROANOKE, Virginia — September 29, 2025 In a noisy world, it’s easy to feel crowded out by blame, distractions, and division. This week we’re choosing the opposite —spotlighting what happens when compassion leads. Rukhsar Habibzai’s story shows how far courage and community can carry us, especially here in Virginia.

I’m often asked, “How is Rukhsar doing?” On a recent swing through Dulles to pick up one of our Berglund Volvo team cars, I had a few hours to spare—just enough time to see Rukhsar, she resides in nearby Fairfax, Virginia. We met for a quiet walk at Great Falls, a spectacular slice of the Commonwealth’s natural beauty along the Potomac. It was the perfect place to reflect with someone whose path took unimaginable turns after fleeing Kabul in 2021. Many people helped bring Rukhsar to safety, and we’re grateful to each of them. What this journey taught me is simple: small, steady acts change lives. If each of us helped just one person feel seen and supported, our communities would be stronger.

Rukhsar was days from completing her four-year dental diploma when the Taliban retook Kabul. She left without transcripts, endured months of processing and refugee camps, and ultimately made her way to Virginia—now home. The determination that carried her out of Afghanistan is the same force guiding her today. She remains focused on her dream to become a dentist.

“I’m very grateful to everyone who helped me establish myself in Virginia, and I’m fortunate to have most of my family here now,” Rukhsar says. “I’m working as a dental assistant while preparing for the U.S. dental board exam—a big step toward becoming licensed here. The exam is tough, and after passing I’ll still need a two-year residency. I’m also gathering documents from Afghanistan, which takes patience and persistence. It isn’t easy, but I’m motivated to keep moving forward.”

“Outside of dentistry, I’m following my coach’s workouts, training consistently, riding with local clubs, and I even raced this year,” she shares. “Each ride makes me stronger—physically and mentally. I’m also helping develop a cycling camp for Asian women. In many of our cultures, girls don’t grow up riding, so my goal is to encourage and empower more women to get on bikes.”

Her connection to our program began long before Virginia—when she captained Afghanistan’s first women’s cycling team and faced threats simply for riding. We stayed in touch through the chaos because the dream never changed. She’s carried it since she was a little girl: tough, determined, always finding a way.

While she isn’t racing regularly right now—and an Olympic start may or may not be in the cards—Rukhsar is thriving in Virginia, contributing to her community, and modeling what resilience looks like.

“Life has its ups and downs, and sometimes progress feels slow,” she says. “But I’m proud I haven’t given up. I’m learning to balance my professional goals with my athletic dreams, step by step. Even if the journey takes longer, I’m grateful to keep moving forward—toward becoming a dentist and becoming a stronger cyclist.”

Grateful for your time, and for the many hands behind her progress—most notably Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

- Nicola