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Real People Profiles: Abani Chiderah

We're asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.


Name: Abani Chiderah

Hometown: Port Harcourt


Major: Biological Sciences


Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: More than 2 years now.


Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: SUCCESS peer, IHU peer, Woolie, Chapter Orientation Advisor, member, etc.

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus? 

A: I am a student, a worker, a helper and a friend.

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A: It is a little hard to chose what role I enjoy being most. I most certainly love helping out, which is kind of part of what being a friend entails. Meeting new people and making new friends or even just acquaintances can be fun. I also most certainly enjoy working (probably because I like my jobs) and learning new things.

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A: 
I do not think I can compare the importance of my experience or my memories so instead, I would choose to mention a few of the things I have picked up since my coming to UMBC. I didn't know a thing about sailing before and now I sail with the UMBC Sailing Team at Regatta and enjoy doing so. Through my work with The Garden, I have learned (and would still be learning) about food systems, farm workers rights, gardening methods etc. I could go on and on about what UMBC has taught me but then this would become an essay (if not a book) plus, I did say I'd be mentioning only a few.

Q: What is one way you have worked with others to make a positive difference at UMBC or in another community?

A: One way I have worked with others to make a positive difference at UMBC and in other communities is by service, usually through the Shriver Center. Whether is was by being a tutor, working with animals, humans, or by some behind the scenes work (e.g. through initiatives), One common impact in all service situations was that the interaction brought benefits and some contentment if not satisfaction to the parties involved (myself included, of course). I think this impact is important and matters because even if all isn't perfect, all that really matters is to make sure we are happy/content (even if not giddy with it) with ourselves and bringing happiness to others even in the smallest ways we can.

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A: Nothing and No one in particular, just life as a whole.

Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?

A: I remember using the campus roads to learn how to bike last summer and how patient everyone was with me.


The animals one can find on this campus are pretty interesting like the birds, fishes, deer, foxes, cats, ducks, squirrels and probably more that I have yet to see.
Time and time again, I have been surprised at how malleable UMBC is, how easy it is to mould and make it yours because of the many opportunities available.

Lastly, PERSPECTIVE MATTERS.


Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.

Posted: February 22, 2015, 8:00 PM