High Point University

Haitian student discovers opportunities in America

By Faith Foushee// Staff Writer

 

Ekabouna Joseph, famously known around campus as Kiki, is a High Point University freshman from Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Joseph is an International Business major with a heart for people and God. 

Joseph came to America after a devastating earthquake rocked her hometown. Her family moved, and Kiki went to high school in Florida.

At the beginning of her senior year, her advisors assisted in her college search. 

“My advisors helped me find what schools had the best international programs,” said Joseph. “After making a list, I began to evaluate the school environments and other factors.” 

After her evaluations, she chose HPU as her home, though she never stepped foot on campus until her orientation date. 

Life in America is very different from the way Joseph grew up in Haiti. 

“I never left my house except for school out of fear of getting kidnapped for ransom,” said Joseph. “I thought that was normal until I came here.” 

There were a lot of aspects of life in Haiti that were different, such as the limited amount of water and food. 

There are also many cultural aspects of America Joseph finds fascinating. 

“It was around Christmas when I came, and I thought that the lights you put on Christmas trees were little balls of fire,” said Joseph. “I was so curious as to how Americans do that and how the lights could even change color.” 

Also, when people around campus talk about the fair coming to town, she was captivated at the thought of elephant ears and a Ferris wheel. 

“I don’t understand the fair. We have nothing like that in Haiti,” said Joseph.  “And the wheel thing that goes around, me and my mom thought you would die in it.” 

At HPU, Joseph joined the Marketing Club, Young Life College, Campus Outreach, Entrepreneurship Club, and Black Culture Awareness Club. She loves being involved and meeting a wide range of people, but her favorite experience so far was at a retreat called Carolina Point with Young Life College. 

“It was an amazing experience! It was my first time in the mountains,” said Joseph. “I liked the people and activities and learned things that will make me better as a person.” 

Joseph does love HPU and is incredibly thankful to have this opportunity. She looks forward to her next couple of years of undergraduate studies. 

 

Ekabouna Joseph sports some of her HPU gear. Photo by Faith Foushee