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Where in the World is Miami Wednesday: Meet an International Student from Sierra Leone

Jermaine with a group of students

By Fatimata Ndiaye & Halie Best

In this week's, Where in the World is Miami Wednesday, we meet Jermaine Carew, a senior international student from Sierra Leone. He's majoring in Public Health with a concentration in Public Management and Leadership.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello. My name is Jermaine Nnamdi Carew. I am a senior, majoring in Public Health with a concentration in Public Management and Leadership. I was born in the United Kingdom and raised in Sierra Leone for 16 years. Since moving to the United States, I have lived in New Jersey and currently live in Dublin, OH. I plan to become a lawyer in the future.

How did you get to know about Miami University and what made you choose it?

During my junior year in high school in New Jersey, I was looking into the best universities in America. I came across Miami University of Ohio, as I grew interested in the Ivy Leagues and Public Ivies. I chose it as my first choice as it was closer than my other choices of school and well-known in Dublin, OH.

What has been your most memorable experience(s) at Miami University?

One of my most memorable experiences at Miami University was performing at the African Students Union Taste of Africa with the Miami University Men’s Glee Club. Another most memorable experience would be the time I performed at a Talent Show and lost but was mentioned by the Miami Student when the event was reported.

What has been the biggest difference between your home country and the U.S.?

One difference would be the size of the country and the powers of the state. Sierra Leone is a small country, roughly the size of New Jersey in America, and the country is divided into provinces and districts. In America, each state has its own capital, and government system.

What has been the biggest similarity between your home country and the U.S.?

The biggest similarity would have to be the passion each country has for sports. In Sierra Leone, we love football (La Liga, UEFA Champions, Barclays), but the enthusiasm is similar to how Americans have a passion for American football.

What organizations are you involved with on campus, and why?

 Jermaine and a group of studentsI am very involved with many of the organizations on campus. I am currently the President of Phi Epsilon Kappa, as it is a health-related professional fraternity. I have been a member of the Miami University Men’s Glee Club, and was blessed to sing songs from different countries, goes on several states for conferences and the Winter Tour, and to experience the true meaning of “brothers-in-songs”. I am a current member and a former Co-Programming Chair executive member of the African Students Union, which allowed me to meet a diverse group of Africans from several parts of the continent and wrote/directed/acted most of their skits.

I am a part of the Miami University Gospel Singers, as I believe my voice should be of service to the Most High. I am a member of the Miami University National Black Law Association, as I want to make use of all of Miami’s resources in becoming a lawyer. I am a member of the Student Wellness Advocacy Team as I am interested in the health and wellness of students on campus. I am a member of the Honors Student Advisory Board, as well as the former leader/co-founder of the Health and Wellness team, as I try to help bridge the relationship between the University Honors Program with the honors students. I am a part of the Threshold Choir of Miami University as I would love to share my voice to aging individuals in hospice care.

What does Love & Honor mean to you?

Love and Honor means to me means being the best that you can be, and to be of service to not only the community you identify with, but with those who you can’t identify with.

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to work out at the recreational center next to Goggin as well as the recreational center in Clawson Hall. I also like to write poems and stories during the weekends, as well talking to various people I know on campus.

What is your favorite place to eat on campus?

I do not have any preferences as I usually eat at the nearest dining hall or at Armstrong. Off-campus, I would eat Chipotle or Subway on a few healthy days and recently, Skyline on cheat days.

How has Miami’s focus on a liberal arts-based education helped you?

Jermaine and two friendsMiami’s focus on liberal arts has helped me to be open minded to different levels of information, and to be knowledgeable of not only the U.S, but about situations in countries abroad that I would have not gotten access to.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing their education at Miami University?

One piece of advice that I would give someone would be to define one rule in your individual life before coming to Miami and being able to develop that rule that would help elevate your way of thinking during your time at Miami. I would also say that adversity in college is the first step in the right direction of where your dreams want you to go. And finally I would say, make sure that you do the things that you want to do, so that in your senior year, you would be able to say “To think in such a place, I have lived such a life.”

 

Catch us next week as we continue to travel around the world to feature the amazing opportunities that Miami students are taking and the experiences our alumni have had since graduating!


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