UHV biology student has global background, love for work with children
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| Anshu Abraham |
University of Houston-Victoria freshman Anshu Abraham always has harbored a love of other countries and cultures, possibly because she’s lived in a variety of them.
Abraham was born in Saudi Arabia and, around age 10, moved to India. While there, she soaked up an array of information about languages.
“India has 28 states and more languages than that,” the 18-year-old said, explaining that she knows five or six languages. “I love learning about other cultures and the languages spoken. It’s always intrigued me.”
It wasn’t until around age 14 that she got her taste of another culture altogether: that of the Lone Star State. She and her family moved to Missouri City, where they already had relatives, in time for her to begin her freshman year at Elkins High School.
The move was a bit of a culture shock, she admitted, but the family adjusted quickly. Today, she’s a UHV biology major with a psychology minor. She hopes to continue on to medical school and, eventually, practice pediatric medicine.
“I love working with kids. I always have. I think this will be a good fit for me,” she said, explaining she baby-sat and mentored children as she grew up.
Abraham chose UHV because of its proximity to home – something her mother appreciated – and because of its affordability. And, although her first year is only halfway completed, she said it’s gone well.
“At times, studying was rough, because it’s different than studying for high school tests,” she said. “But I’ve enjoyed it.”
Other cultures still play a role in her life.
Abraham took Indian dance classes for years but stopped for a while to put academics first. She may begin again with dance classes in the coming months.
Her friends often ask what it was like to grow up in other countries.
“Missouri City actually had a lot of Indians from my area,” she said. “But everybody is interested in hearing about my time in Saudi Arabia, especially since in that country, there isn’t much freedom for women.”
Abraham said she’s happy with her life right now and looks forward to what the future has in store. But that doesn’t mean she’ll forget where she came from.
“We go back and visit India fairly often but never really Saudi Arabia,” she said. “I hope to, someday.”
The UHV Outstanding Student is an online feature highlighting the exceptional students who attend the University of Houston-Victoria. To nominate a student, contact UHV Communications Manager Paula Cobler or call 361-570-4350.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
