Anye Ngwa traveled across the Atlantic Ocean from Central Africa to come to the United States. He applied to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where his whole life changed. The pre-med and biochemistry major graduates in May with a Bachelor of Science degree. But first, he had to overcome some chilly bouts with homesickness.
Why UWM?
I came from Cameroon to the United States to attend university. I chose Milwaukee because my brother recently moved here for a job at Aurora. I wanted to get into the medical field, and since he was a doctor, I needed him to mentor me. I chose UWM because his wife graduated from UWM and encouraged me to apply to the school she loved. That was the only application I submitted, and I was so happy when I received my acceptance letter.
Did you experience homesickness?
A lot. Yeah, a lot. My first experience with winter made me feel like going back to Cameroon. I still remember the day I went out to school without a jacket. I thought I’d be fine because we normally don’t wear jackets in Cameroon. But when I stepped outside to minus-1 temperatures, I learned a lesson that will last a lifetime. That was the worst day of my life. (He laughs.)
What was it like seeing snow for the first time?
The experience was just so amazing. There are only two climates in Cameroon; raining and dry season. The four different seasons didn’t seem real until I came to the USA. But I was just so excited seeing snow falling for the first time and feeling it drop in my hands. I also learned how to ice skate downtown in just two hours. I can stop, and I didn’t even fall! This is one of the reasons why I love Milwaukee.
How did you overcome being homesick?
With time, I learned how to fit in. I joined organizations and clubs, such as the African Student Association and intramural soccer. I was even a resident assistant for Sandburg North my third year. Getting involved is what made me not really worry about homesickness.
What do you do with the African Student Association?
It’s where you meet other African students. There are events planned for you to meet each other and have fun. They also host study groups where we can help each other. When I’m there, I’m able to let loose and feel free. I don’t have to try to adapt to the culture because everybody is just the same.
What did you enjoy most about being an RA?
The best thing about being an RA was being able to get that one-on-one communication with other students and learn about their cultures. Interacting with other students and knowing them personally was so rewarding. Luckily, my floor was a good floor. No rowdy students.
What advice would you have for incoming freshman?
Friends matter, because the wrong friends will pull you out of school. You have limited time, and there are so many distractions that students can get caught up in that will pull them backward. There are also many resources on campus that can help students feel part of campus.
How did the Wisconsin Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Scholarship help you succeed?
The WiscAMP scholarship really gave me the academic support I needed and made me feel like I wasn’t on this academic journey alone. People are there to support and motivate you, both financially and academically. I received the scholarship my second year, and it helped me cut down on working and focus more on school.
What is your favorite memory from UWM?
My whole experience at UWM has been a transforming one. I am totally not the same person that came into this school. Everything that I went through, it brought me into this different mindset where I learned to be more responsible, reliable. I think being an RA was the greatest impact of my life. The leadership role and responsibility toward other students changed my perspective a lot, in terms of adapting to different cultures.
What do you want to do after graduation?
I want to go to medical school. My choices are the Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison or any medical schools in Chicago. After you start to like Milwaukee, you want to stay around. I have met a lot of friends here.
