When Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Ms Alsammak was in the first week of a business degree.
In the months following, she went on to look after young children in Gaza and Egypt who had lost their families in the war.
Now in Sydney on a humanitarian visa, Ms Alsammak is among approximately 35 Palestinian students being supported to study at Western Sydney University (WSU) on a scholarship program for students fleeing conflict.