When Cindy Anab traveled from Ghana to New York to begin her freshman year at St. Thomas Aquinas College in August 2023, it was the first time she ever stepped foot on campus. She discovered St. Thomas Aquinas online and made the decision to enroll after speaking to members of the College’s Admissions team and faculty about her career aspirations. “I love it,” Cindy says about her college choice, adding that the professors, students, and staff, as well as the small school community, make St. Thomas Aquinas College the perfect fit for her.
The biology program is challenging, she says, but the courses she’s taken so far — particularly biology and chemistry — have confirmed the career path she’s preparing for. Cindy plans to become a physical therapist and wants to specialize in working with children with special needs. “These children need more attention and extra care, and I would love to do that,” Cindy says. “I want to help others through therapy and also get more insights on how to heal and help others beyond medication.”
While she misses her parents, three sisters, and friends back home — and especially her mom’s home cooking — Cindy has gotten involved on campus, participating in Ambassadors for Christ and the STEM club, and serving as a student ambassador to introduce new students to the college. All of these activities have helped her make friends and build a social circle. “I am a very quiet and shy person, so participating in the STEM club and being an ambassador has made a big difference,” she says. “Also, I love Jesus, so being a member of Ambassadors for Christ helps me talk to people with the same faith, share the word of God, and learn from each other.”
Several faculty and staff members have helped Cindy acclimate to her new surroundings and launch her academic journey, including Kimberly Burns, Assistant Director of Student Success, her advisor, Dr. Meghan DeWitt, Associate Professor of Mathematics, and many other faculty and staff at St. Thomas Aquinas College. “They have all contributed to my career path and have helped me grow academically and as a person,” Cindy says.
So far, living in the states has been a positive experience in which Cindy learns new things every day. “Living in Ghana is wonderful, but the U.S. offers more opportunities compared to back home,” she says. What’s more, Cindy adds that she enjoys sharing her homeland’s culture with people she meets in the U.S. “People have different perspectives about Africans, and I love being able to change those perceptions.”
Moving to another country around the globe wasn’t easy, but Cindy’s faith in God has given her strength and determination. “The story of Job in the Bible inspires me a lot,” she says. “It teaches me to be strong in the Lord and hold on to my faith no matter the circumstance you are going through, because it is temporary. Also, it teaches me that God’s blessing supersedes everything. It encourages me to never give up or lose faith.”
Written by Claire Curry