“I never knew you could be so mediocre!” My mother said this to me as I sat in the backseat of her car on my way home from writing my final high school exams. This was the phrase that changed my perspective and started my journey to being a student in the United States. I was born and raised in Nigeria in a family of six. My father, a self-employed businessman, and my mother, a medical doctor, provided a stable income for me and my three siblings. Since elementary school, I have expressed my intention to follow in her footsteps of becoming a medical doctor. This passion came from following her to the clinic and watching her treat her patients. After high school, I plan to enroll in a Nigerian university to study medicine. However, my mother suggested studying abroad, mentioning unresolved challenges she faced on her journey to becoming a medical doctor: high unemployment rate, frequent long academic strikes, and inadequate infrastructure. Although aware of these issues, I was ready to endure them because I knew the financial burden it would place on my family. My mother’s words on mediocrity resonated deeply, prompting me to apply for admissions and scholarships in the United States. In January 2022, I came to the United States because of the vast academic courses and facilities it offers, especially in my interest in medicine. Being a student here has brought academic success and global networking through interacting with students from other countries, but also some challenges. The main obstacle I faced being an international student from Africa was my accent. I was scared to talk to my fellow peers and teachers because of occasions where I was not understood. Hence, I found the professional world difficult to navigate because I could not form long-lasting connections. Accessing research and enrichment opportunities was arduous as well. However, my passion for obtaining a medical degree motivated me to overcome these challenges. With this determination, I had to be open-minded and resilient. When communicating, I took the step of courage to be myself and speak out confidently. Networking with professionals in the STEM field became essential to building meaningful connections, not for the purpose of impressing them but for learning. I sought out mentorship from my experienced professors and upperclassmen. I was able to obtain guidance to lead to the fulfillment of my career goals. I worked hard both in my academic courses and being engaged in extracurriculars and research projects in different disciplines: neuroscience, engineering, and cardiovascular science. Realizing that communicating and networking are skills that have developed in me, I took the initiative to apply for a leadership role in the Fisk University Student Government Association. I serve as the current International Student Affairs Senator. I advocate for the diverse community of international students at Fisk University, consisting of 201 students from 6 countries. I work to propose bills to ensure their transition to the school community is smooth. In the future, I plan to attend medical school and continue participating in research projects that advance my understanding of medicine. My journey as an international student has been challenging, but I refuse to settle less or let challenges limit me when there is so much impact I can make in my university, the community of international students, and the medical field.