Article provided by School Apply. 

Shorter University is a private, Christian, liberal arts school located in Georgia, USA. They offer small interactive classes, a diverse community and academic programs that promote critical thinking and leadership skills. The Shorter community is like family and places a strong emphasis in providing personal and academic support.

SchoolApply got in touch with Shorter University alumnus, Anne Mugisha Martin, who graduated 10 years ago to ask about her time at the university. Since then, she’s gone on to do bigger and better things, but she had her start at Shorter. Anne shares her fond memories of a school that became her home away from home.

SHORTER UNIVERSITY

Location: Rome, Georgia (USA)

Student Name: Anne Mugisha Martin

Age: 34

From: Kigali, Rwanda

Graduated: May 2006

You informed us that you are originally from Rwanda, but primarily studied in Uganda – can you tell us a little bit about your school experiences before university?

Prior to Shorter University, I attended all-girls boarding schools in Uganda. The first school I attended was when I was when I was six years old. It was a Catholic school named St. Theresa Namagunga and I studied there for seven years. After I graduated from St. Theresa I went to another Catholic school called Trinity College Nabbingo for four years and followed that with two years at St. Joseph’s Nsambya.

Why did you want to study in the United States and why did you choose Shorter University?

I am one of nine children and growing up our father always had a saying – “the best investment a parent can give a child is education”. My father believed that the US had the best schools in the world and he wanted the very best for his children. We first heard about Shorter University from my father’s friend; he told us a little about the school and their scholarship programs. We researched the school further and I decided to send in an application.

What degree did you pursue at Shorter University and why?  

My major degree was in Accounting with a minor in Economics. I chose these subjects because I was always good with numbers and enjoyed the logical nature of accounting.

Moving so far away from home can be difficult. Did you have any problems adjusting to life in Rome, Georgia and Shorter University?

Other than the some cultural differences, no – I did not have a very hard time transitioning into university and the US. I was picked up from the airport by Libby Grimes, who at the time was my Resident Advisor. She was very nice to me and welcomed me to the United States. She showed me around the university and her door was always open whenever I had a question or needed anything.

What was your experience as an international student at Shorter University? Who or what stands out as the most memorable?

There are two very important people who shaped my life at Shorter University: Nurse Mary Smith – whom I consider as a second mother – and Dr. Robert Darville, my advisor and Accounting professor.

In 2005, I underwent brain/spinal surgery in the US while my family was thousands of miles away. Nurse Mary, who is in no way related to me, brought me into her home and nursed me back to health. She was there for me through all my doctor’s visits and my rehab sessions. I lived with Nurse Mary and her husband, Earnie, and her two sons, Andrew and Patrick, for over two months while recovering from my procedure. They always made sure I was well taken care of and had everything I needed to regain my health.

Dr. Darville was always there for me, not just academically but also with my personal life. When one of my friends died, he would often call and check on me, letting me know he was there if I needed to talk to someone. He made sure that I knew I deserved the best and could excel in whatever I chose to do with my life.

I am forever grateful for these two angels.

The college experience in the US is about so much more than just academics. Did you take part in any extracurricular activities at Shorter University?

I was part of the international community on campus and we always looked out for each other. The group would organise shopping trips, airport rides and study sessions for the students. All in all, the international group was a very caring and helpful community.

How would you sum up your time at Shorter University?

Shorter University is an outstanding school with caring faculty members and a friendly community. I met a lot of students through my classes, residence hall, and at my job at the business computer lab at the university. The memories will last forever, the education and experience I received at Shorter is the reason why I’m a successful Lead Finance Analyst at General Electric now!

It is clear that the faculty and staff at Shorter University had an incredible impact on Anne’s student life, for which she will be forever grateful. The attention and concern that she received as a student and as an individual went above all expectations and it highlights one of the university’s most important qualities – the belief that every student matters.