Some students have a background, identity, interest or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your sto...

Some students have a background, identity, interest or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

With tears in my eyes, I waved goodbye to my family at the airport. I remember anxiously clutching my mother’s hand as we boarded the plane. I had a mix of emotions swirling around inside my 5-year-old head. I was ecstatic to be moving to a new country which my mom described as paradise. I was also anxious about having to adapt to a new life. I started questioning my belonging in the world when I left Nigeria in 2009. Growing up amongst people who did not look like me or speak the same language distorted my sense of belonging. As a child, I struggled to fit in with my white classmates and I often felt like an outsider. I also struggled to fit in with the few black children at my school because they were not fond of foreigners. I felt lost and disconnected from the world because I had no sense of cultural identity. My journey of personal growth began in 2019 when I traveled home to Nigeria. As I reminisce on this nostalgic moment, I can smell the aroma of my traditional dishes, feel the warmth of the West African sun on my skin, and hear the vibrant voices of my people. Immersing myself in my culture changed my perspective on life. I was dismayed by the conditions under which my people lived. Poverty, corruption, and suffering had become the order of the day. Despite the obstacles Nigerian people face daily, they still manage to overcome their challenges with smiles on their faces. This is one of the biggest lessons I learned from visiting Nigeria. Seeing the street hawkers and hustlers go about their day with their heads held high was a proud moment for me. I learned that I have a purpose to serve in this world to ensure that my people’s lives are improved. Since that experience, I have made it my mission to work hard towards creating the dream life that my people deserve. I no longer feel ashamed to say that I am Nigerian. Despite the abominable state that my country is in, I take pride in knowing that I come from a lineage of strong, intelligent, and resilient people. I have learned to unapologetically embrace my culture because it is an integral part of who I am as an individual. I have come to embody all that Nigeria represents. I realized that there was no need for me to fit in with my peers at the cost of losing my identity. Reconnecting with my heritage has helped me to rediscover my purpose in the world. So many people in my Nigerian community have helped me to get to where I am today. From the countless prayers and blessings from my aunts and grandparents to the moral support from my parents. I have found peace of mind because I am part of a phenomenal community. I am who I am because of who they are. I now understand what it means to be proudly Nigerian. Engaging with my culture has propelled me in the right direction to empower those around me. During my last visit, I was able to lay the foundation for my future plans in Nigeria. I organized weekly classes for the village children to watch informative mathematics and science YouTube videos. This proved to be a transformative experience as I could see sparkles of fascination and excitement in their eyes. As I grow, I strive to embody the qualities of my courageous people. I am currently doing this through my extracurriculars. I have chosen the activities that give me a chance to stand out among my peers. I have been an activist during the #EndSars movement against police brutality in Nigeria. I have spread awareness regarding this issue on social media and signed numerous petitions to enact change in my country. This is just the beginning of my plans to improve the lives of my people. I hope to inspire other young Nigerians to achieve the seemingly unimaginable and to create meaningful change in our beautiful nation.