Ezinne Ejiofor, 23, is a nursing student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She immigrated to Milwaukee from her home country of Nigeria four years ago and would like to be a traveling nurse practitioner. (Catholic Herald photo by Ricardo Torres)It’s easy for Ezinne Ejiofor, 23, to remember when she arrived in the United States from her home country of Nigeria – it was Nov. 11, 2011 (11/11/11). One of eight children, she is a nursing student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and attends Mass and volunteers through the Newman Center and at St. Robert Parish, Shorewood. “When we volunteer as a group at soup kitchens, I help as much as I can,” she told Catholic Herald myFaith. She’s hoping to eventually take her nursing degree and travel around the world helping people. “I would travel back to my home country to help out doctors, and I would travel to other poor countries to help,” she said.

School and/or occupation: 

I’m a junior at UW-Milwaukee studying nursing. My main goal is to put smiles on peoples’ faces and make people comfortable – as comfortable as possible. 

What is your dream job? 

I’d like to be a traveling nurse practitioner. I would travel back to my home country to help out doctors, and I would travel to other poor countries to help. 

What’s on your iPod? 

Christian music, Chris Tomlin. I have Jesus Culture, Newsboys and African hip-hop.

If you could dine with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? 

I would have dinner with Jesus. It would be really interesting to hear about the time with the apostles. It would also be great for me to ask questions and listen to his wisdom.

Who has made the biggest impact upon you? 

My family had a big impact on me. I got my Christian life from them. They made sure I went to a good high school. My siblings didn’t go to the school I went to, and they made sure I had a good education. Faith was also important and they made sure that I went to Mass and prayed.

Describe a normal weekend: 

I go to work from 2:30 to 10:30 p.m. But before that, sometimes I come to campus to do homework. If I have free time, I like to watch movies.

What’s one thing that makes you unique? 

People tell me I’m concerned with other people and that I’m very compassionate. That’s important to me, especially working as a nurse. 

Favorite Bible story/Scripture passage/prayer? 

I love the Book of Daniel in general. Daniel is a man of knowledge. It’s a lot to learn from and has taught me a lot.

Favorite quote: 

It doesn’t matter how you started, or how long it took, it’s where you get to … I heard it from people.

What is your favorite food, dessert? 

I’m not a dessert person, but vanilla ice cream with coconut or coffee ice cream. 

A challenge in life that has strengthened your faith:

In Africa, when you’re done with high school, before you get into college, you have to take two exams. One exam is for the school you’re applying to, and the other is the national exam called JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board). If you pass the national exam and you don’t pass the school exam, you can’t go to college. I came out of high school in 2009, but I struggled to go to college. 

My friends who got into college changed their attitude toward me because I didn’t get into college. That year I would go from the library to the church, because I knew this was going to be the thing that would help me out. After a year of doing this, I took the exams and passed both, but at the same time, I got my visa to come to the United States and I had to choose between my acceptance into college and my visa. 

Following that, there would be no reason for me not to believe in God. I came here because there are a lot of opportunities in the U.S. and there’s an 80-90 percent chance of getting a great job.

Favorite pastime/hobby/activity:  

I read, but I’m not a bookworm. I like to watch movies. I like to sing, not like singing in front of a crowd, but I like to sing when I’m by myself.  

What is the most important thing you want to accomplish in life? 

Keeping up with my faith. I’m still in school and I’m not a nurse but I’m working on it. It’s hard and there have been so many challenges to keep up with the nursing work, but keeping up with my faith has helped me through tough exams and homework.

How do you live your faith every day? 

By reminding myself of some of what the Scriptures say. Like trying to love people, all people, and treat them equally. Dealing with patients and classmates, patients especially, because I want to make them feel welcomed. I try to treat others the way I want to be treated.

Name one guilty pleasure: 

There are some dance moves that I have that I only bring out when I’m alone. So if I’m listening to music, I’ll probably be dancing.