Meet Sarem

2018 CDI Scholar Sarem — College of Wooster Class of 2022

Self-Discovery and a Sense of Belonging

“CDI gave me the tools to do things on my own and recognized in me things I didn’t see for myself that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

At the age of six, my birth mother gave me to her younger brother, his wife and two children (my dad, mom and siblings), to raise in the States. I moved here from Ethiopia and was suddenly placed in a first-grade classroom with teachers I could barely understand and students I did not recognize. The constant giggles and scoffs about my accent led me to stay quiet. The fear of being judged and criticized stuck with me for a very long time. At home I was the primary caregiver to my two siblings, one of whom has autism and required significant care. I played a very strong maternal role which caused tension in the family when it came time to plan for college. My interest in going conflicted with my household responsibilities and led my mom to be closed to the idea and my dad to reluctantly support me. As the first to go to college, I knew that I would have to forge a path on my own.

Upon working with CDI, I quickly realized there were more opportunities for me out there and as I sought them, I became more independent. It was the first time I thought about myself and my life. It was an awakening of sorts. I began to realize that I could make choices. I began to envision myself in as many things as possible. For me, CDI became the source of unconditional support that I needed. My counselor made me feel as if I had somebody in my corner, an adult I could trust. This allowed me to follow my passion and freed me up to let go of the major that I thought I should have to please my dad and pursue one that interested me. As soon as I did that my grades improved and I was on my way.

In my sophomore year, I became a political science major at the College of Wooster. I was an Allen Scholar which is awarded to students with promise in leadership and civic engagement. I felt like I was getting my stride and then I had a snag in my financial aid. My parents did not support me, and I was unsure whether I would be able to finish school. I felt defeated. I reached out to my counselor who helped me go through all my paperwork and discovered the school made an error which helped close the gap. Over the years, I also received emergency support from CDI to close any remaining gaps. My counselor advocated for me, modeled the structure and discipline required to overcome obstacles, made sure I was aware of the college’s resources, kept me on track when I didn’t see the way, held me accountable, and fostered a sense of belonging in a safe space. All of these actions gave me the confidence I needed to develop the ability to speak up for myself which was hard for me especially being raised in a family that was not my own. CDI transformed my life as it was integral to my stability as a college student.

I would not have achieved a college degree without CDI. It set the path for me to do great things. In fact, during my senior year of college I became a U.S. citizen. CDI gave me the tools to do things on my own and recognized in me things I didn’t see for myself that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I’ll have kids some day and now they will know, too!