Dr. Titilola Afolabi grew up in Nigeria surrounded by people who cared deeply for others and she’s always known she was meant to be a healer. Her father practices medicine from a pediatric research position and her mother uses traditional African herbs to heal an array of ailments, from fevers to coughs to skin conditions — a time-honored art that was passed down from her mother.

With a passion for math and chemistry, Afolabi excelled in school. When the time came to choose a university, she had her heart set on studying pharmacy in the United States. After hearing how much her cousin was thriving at the University of Memphis, she decided to enroll herself and move to Memphis at just 17 years old.

Today, Afolabi co-runs pediatric clinical nutrition support for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and teaches several courses at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Before that, she taught at Midwestern University and held several clinical positions in children’s hospitals in Arizona.

“I had a 10-year high school reunion, and we were looking at the yearbook section about what we were going to do in the future,” she recalled. “I was one of two people who were actually doing exactly what we wanted to do, and it really made me proud. I feel like I always knew this is the right place for me.”

Her words carry the kind of confidence that comes from staying true to a dream she had for herself long before she arrived on campus. That moment at her high school reunion was more than just realizing she had made it; it was a reminder of the journey that brought her there. The challenges she faced, the choices she made and the community that supported her along the way all played a part in helping her achieve her dreams.

Behind every milestone was a network of support that helped turn obstacles into opportunities. That support came from programs like the Center for International Student Services (ISS) at the UofM. The center is designed to guide students like Afolabi through the unique challenges of studying far from home. While her story is deeply personal, it echoes a broader experience shared by many international students navigating life at a new university.

If you were thousands of miles away from home and in need of support, what would you do? Who would you turn to if your family and friends were unreachable, and you were immersed in another language? This is the reality for hundreds of international students who attend the University of Memphis. Thankfully, these students can turn to the ISS. From the moment they’re enrolled, they have support, resources and a distinctive community waiting for them on campus.

ISS’s mission of fostering multicultural connections and promoting global perspectives creates opportunities for all students to learn from one another about different cultures and new perspectives.

The result is a more dynamic, welcoming campus where students from all backgrounds can share ideas and experiences.

In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to understand and engage with different cultures is more important than ever.

“Growing up in a homogeneous society where most people looked like you, most people spoke the same language as you did, and coming to a place where you have individuals from every aspect of life, different racial groups and different cultural backgrounds, I think that was one thing that really struck me about the United States,” Afolabi said.

“It is such a great environment to meet people not like you and explore different cultures. Some of my closest friends are from South America or from Asia, and we’ve maintained close relationships since our time at the University of Memphis.”

The connections and support through ISS allowed Afolabi to explore the ways she could make an impact on campus.

The ISS staff encouraged her to maximize her leadership potential and build on the connections she had already made.

“As international students, loneliness, feelings of isolation, mental health care and not being able to advocate for yourself because you just don’t know how are major struggles,” she explained. “That was something that I felt like I understood very clearly.”

With the support of the staff, Afolabi became a resident advisor and helped other students navigate the ups and downs of university life. She credits this experience with the development of her leadership skills.

Through changing perspectives, students have the ability to step outside their comfort zones, question what they think they know and appreciate different perspectives that can reshape the way they view problems, opportunities and even themselves. Whether it’s a casual conversation about traditions, a debate on global issues or simply learning a silly phrase in another language, these interactions broaden perspectives in ways that textbooks never could.

“It’s so crucial that the University continues to support the ISA and the ISS to encourage diverse groups to be a part,” Afolabi said. “It’s really good that Americans can also learn and get a piece of the world outside the country without having to leave. Because I was a resident advisor, I met so many different individuals where we were able to share my home country’s Jollof rice together, cook together, learn about each other and learn about Memphis.”

Afolabi has even witnessed friends who met through the ISS get married and have children. To maintain their close-knit circle, the group takes annual trips and explores the world together. Through it all, Afolabi and her friends have maintained a deep love for the UofM and for the city that brought them all together.

“That’s the legacy of the ISS and International Student Association, and it reflects positively on the University of Memphis,” she said. “We’re always going to be Tigers, no matter where we are. Every time we go out and people see an Indian, a South American, a European and an African hanging out together, I promise you somebody’s going to ask, ‘How’d you guys know each other?’ That’s when we talk about the University of Memphis as our home for establishing such strong friendships.”