If anything is known about a fellow classmate, it is generally the big three collegiate classifications: name, major and class status. These questions are answered as Anastasia Akuffo-Afful carefully spells out her name and proceeds to describe herself as a senior biology major at Frostburg State University. Her outfit, complete with the latest gladiator style sandals, skinny jeans and a bright orange top, agrees with her claimed love of fashion, and one can easily imagine her
at her favorite hobby: dance.Via the biology major, Anastasia plans to become a nurse and specialize in pediatrics. She shows no uncertainty concerning her future goals, declaring that “I always wanted to give back, I like helping people, and I love working with kids.”
Beyond the role of biology major, Anastasia is also a member of the Pre-Professional Medical Society and the African Student Association. These two organizations represent two discernable aspects of Anastasia’s character. The former represents a desire to help people, while the latter organization displays a grounded sense of cultural background.
The importance of her background becomes evident as Anastasia speaks of her family. She is a first generation American whose parents are originally from Accra, the capital city of Ghana in West Africa. Anastasia travels regularly from her home in Silver Spring, Maryland to visit her mother, a fashion designer in Accra. Despite the distance between mother and daughter, they speak often, and Anastasia’s mother is her inspiration. Anastasia says of her mother that “She’s been struggling since she was young; this has made her strong and independent. She is supportive and strives for success.” Anastasia follows her mother’s lead with her own life motto: “I just believe in hard work and that it pays to do hard work."
In a final combination of Anastasia’s love of family, helping people, and her cultural background, she expresses her future plans. These plans include a family, a master’s degree in pediatrics, and a return to Ghana for a year in order to use her nursing degree to “give back.”
Anastaisia's varity of interests do not distract her from her goals or her family. She demonstartes that when looking beyond the three common questions that float among college students, one can find that a person is more than just a major.
Information about Frostburg State University’s pre-professional nursing program and African Student Association can be found at http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/pdf/nurs.pdf and http://www.frostburg.edu/cultural-diversity/for-students/student-organizations.
1 comment:
Very well said about my friend Anna. She is very determined and willing to go the extra mile and put in the extra effort when need be. Keep up the good work and see ya soon!
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