Blogs

By GIA Center

For International Education Week 2023, we’re sharing conversations with students who engage in global and intercultural learning in different ways. Olajumoke “Jummie” Agboola is a graduate student originally from Nigeria. In April of 2023, she traveled to the United States to study a masters in business administration. We talked to her about her experiences and what has led her to where she is today. 

What has influenced or shaped your passion for international education or exchange?

The main reason why I thought to have my masters degree, not in my own country, was because after my undergrad, I started working in human resources and executive management. After 5 years of working, I’ve had extensive experience in working with management, business operations, and the day-to-day running of a business. I realized that it was time for me to take my career to the next phase of things. I considered a couple of schools in the UK and in the US, when I checked the course curriculum, I realized that a lot of the schools in the US were better suited for my needs academically. The course curriculum and academic portfolio fitted more into what I wanted. 

As a Graduate Assistant, how do you promote international education/exchange or expand intercultural experiences with others whether through campus, community, or around the world?

Being a GA with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, I've had the opportunity to work on different conferences, webinars, dialogues, and things on campus that have to do with cultural diversity and inclusion and also, making this well known amongst students, staff, faculty in the University. I always tell my roommates “You have to come!” whenever we have programs or events. I tell them, “Come, check this out because there are a lot of things that, prior to being here, I didn't have knowledge on.”

There was this recent seminar that we just finished. It was on dis/ability inclusion. And there are a lot of things that I didn't know. It really broadened my knowledge on different things that have to do with diversity and inclusion.

What is one aspect or memory of home that you still embrace today?

There’s a lot of memories that stick with me, but one thing that has really just stuck with me would be my family. My family is always kind to people wherever they are. They welcome and accept people into whatever space, and make them feel like they belong. As an international student coming here, at first it was really difficult trying to navigate through the diverse cultural backgrounds and fitting into a new space. I see other international students that are just getting into the system, and I welcome people and make them feel at ease, because at one point, that was me. 

Who is someone that has inspired you or you believe to be a role model for global leadership, and why?

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is the director of the World Trade Organization. Prior to that, she was the Minister of Finance for Nigeria, and she has held a couple of United Nations positions. She is just someone that is very inspiring to me. She grew up in Nigeria and had primary education in Nigeria, and seeing how she took the realms in global affairs when it comes to finance and the world economy, it is something that I look forward to. I hope it is a place I can attain in my career at some point. 

In your opinion, what are some benefits to international education or exchange?

It opens you to a different view of thinking and it challenges you intellectually. You think you know how things are done and then you come to a different place entirely and you have to relearn. As humans, we want to keep getting better and it's important to learn and continue to evolve. For me, international exchange is something that is very important for people that have the opportunity to study abroad wherever it is. It is a great way to expand your learning horizon, and see how things work, not just where you come from, but all over the world and in different places.

Where is a place you have always wanted to visit or explore, and why?

I would say Italy. I grew up Catholic and still practice Catholicism. I really love the architecture of the churches in Rome and Venice. It’s been there for years and, I’m sure in 100 years to come, it will still be there. It is just out of this world, and I’d really love to just see it, and take it in.