Okechukwu Chukwuma
What are some of your past and/or present hobbies/interests? I really love video games and tennis especially! I'm a part of the tennis club and it's great being able to get the opportunity of playing the sport again surrounded by people who have the same love for the sport as me.
What are do you plan on doing in the future after you graduating from UCI? I've always planned on becoming a PA as opposed to becoming an MD because of the less time spent in school, less debt, and overall, personally for me, a better work-life balance physically and mentally! Being a PA still allows me to work in the medical field directly with patients as I love to help others and the medical field is really interesting.
You mentioned that you love to help people, what do you love the most about helping other? I love how I can make a difference whether its big or small in their day and/or their lives. Being able to make a difference in their lives and seeing their smile, laugh, and getting a simple thank you makes me happy and its one of the best feelings in the world! The craziest part is that most of the people I help are complete strangers who I've never met and despite this, it feels like I have a connection with them by helping them. It's comforting knowing I can become a part of their life no matter how short it is in a positive way.
What are some ways you think others can help especially if they don't have experience or connections with clubs or organizations? There's a lot of charities where you can donate a lot of things, not necessarily money, but clothes, things that wouldn't be a problem for a lot of us as college students. It doesn't need to be big to the point that it changes their lives a lot or right away. If you can make a difference in any way, you've made the world a better place and you've made an impact on that person's life and that's what it's all about.
Fun fact about yourself? I once had to bathe next to a chicken in Nigeria! They had a room where you would bathe with a bucket and they kept the chicken they were going to eat there..
