CONTRIBUTED: Kirkwood student Hamdiatu Yakubu, from West Africa, talks about her big decision to attend college in Iowa.
Q: Where are you from? And what did you like most about where you’re from?
A: I am from Ghana, West Africa. What I like most about Ghana would be our tolerance and peaceful nature.
Q: What made you choose to go to Kirkwood? And what are your plans after Kirkwood? A: I am an international student on the Community College Initiative Program so I did not single handedly decide to come to Kirkwood. But I am glad I was placed in Kirkwood. After Kirkwood, I would go back and complete my resident course in my country and also implement my action plan, which is a project on improving reading skills amongst basic school children in my community.
Q: What’s your favorite childhood memory?
A: As a child I attended a middle grade school owned by a lady who organized extracurricular activities. So, I had the chance to go on excursions and trips, which I enjoyed a lot.
Q: Where have you all traveled and what was your favorite place?
A: We travelled to museums, beaches, zoos and trade fairs. My favorite was the beaches and museums.
Q: What inspires or motivates you?
A: Waking up to a new day in good health and strength is what keeps me moving.
Q: Tell me about yourself, your hobbies, family, etc.
A: I am an intro-extrovert who loves to have my own space and hardly makes new friends. I love to watch movies, cook and music. I have three siblings and live with my mom back in mycountry. I speak four languages.
Q: What is your greatest achievement in life, and why?
A: My greatest achievement in life is to go to a university, because it took me four years after high school to go back to school. I had to take the bold decision of funding my own education.
Q: What’s your favorite season, and the traditions that come with it that you and your family do?
A: I love it when the rains set in. I love water, the oceans and rivers. In my country there are no traditions that come with the rainy season, only more farming activities.
Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: I am strong-willed and open-minded. I am good at speaking, listening and very creative at bringing ideas. I am also very compassionate and care about the people around me.
Categories: Contributed, Feature, Student Spotlight
