“I am an international student from Lagos, Nigeria and I’ve been in the United States a while. I went to high school in San Marcos, Texas and thought I would attend college in Texas as well.
Living with relatives at the time, I applied to several places, including a few that were out of state.
I met with a counselor, and he gave me like a free application to five schools. Utah and (Louisiana State University) were two of them, but I wasn’t really thinking out of state because in my mind I wanted to stay in Texas.
I did my application knowing the University of Utah had a medical school. I’m pre-med but I knew that not a lot of schools accepted international students. But at that time, the University of Utah was accepting, so I decided to go to Utah.
Even though I had never been to this part of the United States before, I came out here and never regretted it.
Currently, I am applying to medical school but I’ve decided to take a gap year to get some practical work experience.
Right now, I’m interviewing and hoping to get a job in the biomedical field in a clinical setting. I’m excited for the future and grateful to have taken the leap of faith and came to the U. I have definitely done very well here.
When I first came, I did not know what to expect. When I started meeting people, interacting and connecting with people, I began to feel more comfortable in my new environment.
My main goal was just to build community. At first, there was this initial culture shock, but then I discovered the Black Student Union and the (former) Black Cultural Center.
Eventually, I made friends around campus and I really felt like I belonged here. Honestly, being at the U has shown me I can do whatever I want to if I decide I want to do something. I have the skills and the ability to do be succcessful.
Coming to the University of Utah was a really good academic opportunity. I have been able to find community here. I’ve been very fortunate.”
— Chimdi Ihediwa, Class of 2025, BS in Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, originally from Lagos, Nigeria