��͹��Ƶ

Sharon Ige is a junior from Oyo State, Nigeria in the biology program at ��͹��Ƶ.

Growing up across West Africa, Ige witnessed the struggles people faced to access quality healthcare, shaping her desire to make a difference through medicine. “I witnessed the struggles many people faced in receiving quality medical attention, and it made me realize how deeply interconnected health and community are,” she says. “From a young age, I knew I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, and biology seemed like the natural path to pursue.”

Ige hopes to become a physician’s assistant so that she can “combine problem-solving and diagnostic skills with meaningful, direct patient care.”

Dordt’s reputation of quality, Christian education was intriguing to Ige. “The fact that ��͹��Ƶhas such a good reputation even back home speaks volumes about its impact and quality,” says Ige. “��͹��Ƶdrew me in because I sought a college experience where I'd feel valued and acknowledged. Out of all the schools I applied to, ��͹��Ƶwas one of the few Christian schools that resonated with my goals.”

Ige’s expectations of Dordt’s ability to help her pursue her passions and meet her goals have, so far, been met. “When I started college, I thought I’d have to set aside my other interests to focus on my major, but ��͹��Ƶhas let me do the opposite,” says Ige. “I’ve been able to expand my interests, add minors, and learn to balance everything.”

Ige is also in the Kuyper’s Honors Program (KHP) at Dordt, and she is pursuing a minor in psychology. “Balancing two minors, KHP, and a heavy course load has been challenging but also incredibly rewarding. It’s taught me to prioritize, manage my time, and push myself academically,” she says.

She’s also excited to see how these programs help her become a physician’s assistant. “I chose KHP because I wanted to stretch myself, deepen my thinking, and see the world from different perspectives,” says Ige. “The Christian framework of the program has also connected my faith to my studies and goals in a really meaningful way.”

“My psychology minor has been just as valuable,” she adds. “Studying human behavior has given me a richer understanding of medicine and helps me see patients as whole people, not just diagnoses.”

Pursuing her dreams of providing quality healthcare to people in need hasn’t been easy, but Ige says that’s part of what motivates her. “The biology program has certainly been demanding,” she says. “But I’ve come to realize that nothing truly worthwhile ever comes easy. I owe it to the people I want to help to keep pushing forward, no matter how tough it gets.”

“One of the biggest challenges I faced was finding ways to gain clinical and patient care experience as an international student,” she adds. “This seemed particularly difficult given the limited opportunities for clinical placements in my home country.”

She’s grateful that the professors and staff in the biology program have been supportive and encouraging. “They have a genuine interest in helping students like me succeed,” says Ige. “Their dedication goes beyond just teaching—they want to ensure we have the opportunities and resources to develop as well-rounded individuals, ready to tackle real-world challenges.”

As an international student, Ige initially wondered if she’d fit in at Dordt. “‘Would I be social enough? Kind enough? Christian enough?’ These doubts were natural, especially coming from a different cultural background,” says Ige. “But I quickly realized I didn’t need to prove myself to others. At Dordt, I’ve found a community where kindness, connection, and faith aren’t just checkboxes—they’re values that we grow into together.”

“The focus here is not on meeting a certain standard but on being genuine, being ourselves, and allowing our faith to shape us day by day,” she adds. “It’s been a humbling experience to learn that being ‘enough’ isn’t about trying to conform to some idealized version of who I should be, but about being open, learning from others, and allowing my experiences and faith to guide me.”

One of her favorite things about Dordt’s campus is the numerous opportunities to find fellowship. “The Wednesday chapel services and Thursday night worship at the Grille have also been especially meaningful,” she says. “These gatherings have not only deepened my faith but also created a space where I can connect with others on a deeper level. They’ve become an essential part of my spiritual journey, where I’m reminded that faith is not an individual experience but something we share and grow together as a community.”

While Ige was a little nervous about calling Sioux Center home for four years, she says those nerves disappeared quickly. “Coming in as a freshman, I remember feeling wary about spending the next four years of my life in such a small town in a new country, especially after driving from the airport and seeing nothing but cornfields for miles,” she says. “While nothing could have fully prepared me for just how different it is to live in a new country, over time, I’ve found that people here are welcoming, and the sense of community has made all the difference.”

Ige is grateful for the way Dordt’s community encourages and embraces students’ individual stories. “I’ve realized that no matter where you come from, you can find a home in a place where kindness and mutual respect are the foundation of relationships,” she says. “I’ve made lasting friendships, not by fitting in perfectly, but by being myself and embracing the unique backgrounds that each person brings to the table."