By Fallon Bourgeois

One mention of the the Slaight Family Foundation Scholarship for African Students, and Ogheneruemu Ememoh can hardly contain his enthusiasm. After all, it is the reason he is still able to pursue his dreams.

The second-year health professions student has always had a keen interest in improving health care, especially in his home country of Nigeria.

“During my second year of university in Nigeria, I recognized that if I were truly going to make a difference someday, I needed more knowledge.”

Through his own ambitions, Ogheneruemu left Nigeria to pursue an education at Dalhousie. For him, there was nowhere better than Canada to learn about health care.

Unfortunately, as is the case for many international students, the cost of post-secondary education became overwhelming. “My parents have always been very supportive. But with the cost of fees, books, accommodations and other needs, they couldn’t continue to financially support me.”

He took a job as patient attendant, working for 12 hours most nights then going straight to class. A gruelling schedule, it wasn’t long before he started to notice the effects, both academically and emotionally.

“My potential was not reflected in my work or grades. I came to Canada to excel academically and ultimately make a difference, but I began to lose that focus. It was a very stressful time for me and my family.”

Struggling to keep up, Ogheneruemu was resigned to the fact that he would have to return to Nigeria. “I felt like my dreams and ambitions were being crushed.”

Ogheneruemu turned to the Black Student Advising Centre where he had a positive experience when he first came to Dal. He was hoping to find information on resources, but he got so much more.

“I was in disbelief,” Ogheneruemu says of the news of his scholarship. “I checked several times because I thought what I was seeing couldn’t possibly be true.”

Today, Ogheneruemu has returned to the driven student who can focus all of his attention on his studies, while enjoying his time in Halifax.

“Without this support, I would not still be studying at Dalhousie. It affirms that my purpose is to better health care so I can help my people. I will accomplish what I’ve set out to do and that’s all thanks to this scholarship.”