By Gracie Fairfax | Echo
Coming to the cornfields means a considerable number of miles between home and school for most students, but for freshman Ruhama Johney Mergia the move Taylor meant crossing an ocean. Six weeks ago, Mergia became the first in her family to leave Ethiopia.
Mergia first heard of Taylor through missionary friends from Indiana who lived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They were a second family to Mergia during their time in Ethiopia and have since returned to Indiana. When it came time to take the SAT and she was given the option to send her scores to a college, Taylor regained her attention.
"I was in grade 11 when I applied, so it was an early decision," Mergia said.
After her acceptance, she perused Taylor's website and connected with a recent Ethiopian Taylor graduate, Kidane Sarko ('15), on Facebook and through Skype. Sarko, who had graduated with a degree in Mergia's intended major, was able to give insight into what classes look like at Taylor.
"I was excited, but I was scared as well because I'd never been away for more than a night," Mergia said. "It was scary because I didn't know the future."
Mergia's father runs a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Ethiopia that helps single mothers and provides family empowerment and marriage counseling. Similarly, her mother works for another NGO as a social worker. Evidently, a love for helping others is in Mergia's blood.
Despite sharing her parents' passion for helping people, this adventurous daughter is approaching it from a different perspective. She plans to enter the biology/pre-medicine program with the hopes of becoming a medical missionary in her home country.
Her interest in the medical field increased after her favorite fourth grade teacher was diagnosed with brain cancer. Mergia asked her mom what kind of doctor heals people with brain cancer. Her mother replied, "A neurosurgeon."
"I always wanted to help people and I loved biology," Mergia said.
Even after learning how much schooling the field requires, she still wants to go into medicine, hoping to attend medical school in the states when her four years at Taylor come to a close.
While there is far more corn than she had originally expected, Mergia cannot wait for the traditions and opportunities that await her, both on campus and beyond.
"I want to study abroad a lot," Mergia said. "Maybe go to Ecuador. I want to do the Biblical Literature (study trip) in Jerusalem. I want to go on missions' trips."
Mergia has two friends from high school who joined her in her journey to the States-one in Washington and one in Pennsylvania-and she's eager for all the opportunities that await her here in the cornfields as she adjusts to life in her new home.
