While fourth year DU student Tony Bisimwa came to DU from Uganda, Africa, he said his status as an international student has made him more resilient and his time here has helped him discover his purpose.
“There's a lot of growth that happens in college,” said Tony, who is majoring in computer science and molecular biology and minoring in chemistry and mathematics.
“I came to college thinking I was going to be a doctor, and here I am a senior with a second major in computer science. It says a lot about how things have changed from my freshman year to my senior year,” Tony said. “That change from trying to become a doctor to computer science is just kind of my effort in pursuing a life of purpose.”
Tony also noticed a significant cultural difference when coming to DU and how he came to embrace it. “I grew up in a homogenous culture where everything was mostly the same. Then being at DU, I met a lot of people from different cultures, religions and backgrounds,” Tony said.
“One thing that has helped me is being very open-minded. I'm a very curious person, you know, like trying new things coming to DU was big. It's a new place and a new culture, so being willing to try new things steps up your confidence and helped me at DU. I feel like I've been through many different experiences in a few different countries, so I think that, somehow, I built some sort of resilience.”
Tony also became involved in campus activities and leadership roles at DU to enrich his experience. Serving as the president of the African Students United Club and participating in programs like E-STEM gave Tony the opportunity for personal and professional development that he sees himself using in the future.
“The roles I've held whether as president of African Students United Club or as a project assistant in the Student Affairs & Inclusive Excellence office, have helped me understand my leadership style—how to work with people, how to communicate. I believe those skills will be important in the career that I've chosen.”
As Tony reflects on his DU experience, he has advice for incoming international students.
“Get involved on campus because the feeling of being away from home can be challenging. You need to find another community here on campus to actually feel at home at DU,” Tony said. “There are some clubs for international students, and they often offer international students resources for the things they’re interested in—whether it's sports, intramurals, or other activities. Joining these clubs helps create another small community here.”
Looking ahead, Tony envisions a career in software engineering or data science, leveraging his interdisciplinary background in computer science and biology. He credits his DU experience with shaping his professional aspirations and providing him with the skills necessary for success in the job market.
The Faces of 4D series explores the diverse and complex ways in which the DU community lives the 4D Experience on campus, in their careers, and around the globe.
