Fébie Atoungbe (AA ’24)
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My name is Fébie Atoungbe (AA '24). I'm here to tell you about my Arrupe College experience.
- Major: AA in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Political Science
- High School: Truman Middle College
- Involvements: Interned with Institute for the International Education of Students (IES), Law Fellowship program at Loyola, ACUNI Peer Educator, Student Leadership Club, and Sister Girl Empowerment Club
How I chose my degree:
I come from West Africa Benin, I come from a family where neither of my great grandparents to my both parents have not graduated from high school. Many of them didn’t get the chance to go to school. From what I heard from history; my ancestors run away to hide themselves behind the lake name Lake Nokoué in southern part of Benin to avoid being sold into the slavery trade in Africa many centuries ago. To be brief, I chose social and behavioral sciences and minor in politics, because I want to understand people, I naturally love people and if there is anything I can do to put a smile or make someone’s life easier I will do. I few happy when I can help people. So, the major sounds good to me. I don’t think I will be able to help people if I don’t understand them. I believe that this major would help me to understand people enough to be able to help them. I didn’t know what I will major in for my bachelor's degree until I took a class with Dr. Minerva, I believe the class was Person and society. We cover why things are the way they are. And how it is up to us to make it better. That went straight to my heart. So now I want to use my next two years to learn more about politics. Because I want to help people who live in the same situation as my parents and their ancestors. I don’t think it’s right that the government doesn’t give them the resources to get education. I pray God and if it is his will to use me as his servant to help people like my family.
My plans after graduation:
Continuing on at Loyola University Chicago!
Professor a new student should absolutely take a class with:
Students must take class with Prof Neenan Kelly, because she is extremely talented at teaching with a great passion and understanding of her students. She makes a room for everyone to ask questions and she explains answers in so many different ways if we the students don’t understand what she is saying. She taught the class how to do assignments before she assigned them, she gives examples to look at for those who are visual learners and whoever it may benefit. She listens to her students; she doesn’t assume to know what they are going to ask and give the response that she thinks the students are looking for. I highly believe that if I have had her the first time I took Writing 105, I wouldn’t have failed the first time. She deserves to be recognized. There are more professors that I could list but she will be in the top one.
Class I never expected to love:
I never thought I would love English 110. The things that were great about it were the knowledge that one gets from the class reading. I have to read so many books, plays, drama, poems, and more. I never thought that English class would allow me to read all of this genre and the reading were all of Chicago. The opportunity that this class gives me to learn about Chicago and the knowledges and lessons I learn from these readings are priceless.
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola?
It was when I couldn’t make it to my appointment with my supervisor, Jackie Molina, and I send her email letting her know that I was not feeling good and won’t be able to make it to our meeting. Before I could even send her the email, I was so worried and scared because I didn’t know how she will take it. But after I sand her the email, she became concerned about me. I cried. Because after I have come to this country in 2014, I couldn’t go to school until 2019 when I was saved from what I was being going through between 2014 and 2019. I used to work 24/7 with no breaks. I was not allowed to say that I am sick or show that I am not doing well. I have to continuously push myself every day. Yes, it makes me cried out of joy that there are people who would care if I am sick. She was asking me if there is a way she may help me. If I know what to do to get better and so on. I’m in a country with no family but Loyola has given me a community. This is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I pray God to continue to bless Loyola and all of the people.
Some surprisingly cool things about Arrupe:
Arrupe show you how to live healthy life. You know it is one thing to said things and it is another thing to do it. Everyone can say how to live healthy life but is not everyone who can live healthy life. The energy around the campus is so welcoming. From the faculty to the professors to advisors, Deans and so on. Every day I come on campus I feel like there are people who care about people not only me. I was surprised because I have not seen a whole group of people caring standing for people like Arrupe does.
What advice do you have for the incoming class?
Ask for help because Arrupe sincerely wants you to succeed, and there are resources available for you to succeed. So, if you’re struggling, talk to someone. Even if the person you talking to can’t help you directly, they will connect you with the right person. Remember Arrupe’s values and mission. They mean what they said.
My name is Fébie Atoungbe (AA '24). I'm here to tell you about my Arrupe College experience.
- Major: AA in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Political Science
- High School: Truman Middle College
- Involvements: Interned with Institute for the International Education of Students (IES), Law Fellowship program at Loyola, ACUNI Peer Educator, Student Leadership Club, and Sister Girl Empowerment Club
How I chose my degree:
I come from West Africa Benin, I come from a family where neither of my great grandparents to my both parents have not graduated from high school. Many of them didn’t get the chance to go to school. From what I heard from history; my ancestors run away to hide themselves behind the lake name Lake Nokoué in southern part of Benin to avoid being sold into the slavery trade in Africa many centuries ago. To be brief, I chose social and behavioral sciences and minor in politics, because I want to understand people, I naturally love people and if there is anything I can do to put a smile or make someone’s life easier I will do. I few happy when I can help people. So, the major sounds good to me. I don’t think I will be able to help people if I don’t understand them. I believe that this major would help me to understand people enough to be able to help them. I didn’t know what I will major in for my bachelor's degree until I took a class with Dr. Minerva, I believe the class was Person and society. We cover why things are the way they are. And how it is up to us to make it better. That went straight to my heart. So now I want to use my next two years to learn more about politics. Because I want to help people who live in the same situation as my parents and their ancestors. I don’t think it’s right that the government doesn’t give them the resources to get education. I pray God and if it is his will to use me as his servant to help people like my family.
My plans after graduation:
Continuing on at Loyola University Chicago!
Professor a new student should absolutely take a class with:
Students must take class with Prof Neenan Kelly, because she is extremely talented at teaching with a great passion and understanding of her students. She makes a room for everyone to ask questions and she explains answers in so many different ways if we the students don’t understand what she is saying. She taught the class how to do assignments before she assigned them, she gives examples to look at for those who are visual learners and whoever it may benefit. She listens to her students; she doesn’t assume to know what they are going to ask and give the response that she thinks the students are looking for. I highly believe that if I have had her the first time I took Writing 105, I wouldn’t have failed the first time. She deserves to be recognized. There are more professors that I could list but she will be in the top one.
Class I never expected to love:
I never thought I would love English 110. The things that were great about it were the knowledge that one gets from the class reading. I have to read so many books, plays, drama, poems, and more. I never thought that English class would allow me to read all of this genre and the reading were all of Chicago. The opportunity that this class gives me to learn about Chicago and the knowledges and lessons I learn from these readings are priceless.
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola?
It was when I couldn’t make it to my appointment with my supervisor, Jackie Molina, and I send her email letting her know that I was not feeling good and won’t be able to make it to our meeting. Before I could even send her the email, I was so worried and scared because I didn’t know how she will take it. But after I sand her the email, she became concerned about me. I cried. Because after I have come to this country in 2014, I couldn’t go to school until 2019 when I was saved from what I was being going through between 2014 and 2019. I used to work 24/7 with no breaks. I was not allowed to say that I am sick or show that I am not doing well. I have to continuously push myself every day. Yes, it makes me cried out of joy that there are people who would care if I am sick. She was asking me if there is a way she may help me. If I know what to do to get better and so on. I’m in a country with no family but Loyola has given me a community. This is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I pray God to continue to bless Loyola and all of the people.
Some surprisingly cool things about Arrupe:
Arrupe show you how to live healthy life. You know it is one thing to said things and it is another thing to do it. Everyone can say how to live healthy life but is not everyone who can live healthy life. The energy around the campus is so welcoming. From the faculty to the professors to advisors, Deans and so on. Every day I come on campus I feel like there are people who care about people not only me. I was surprised because I have not seen a whole group of people caring standing for people like Arrupe does.
What advice do you have for the incoming class?
Ask for help because Arrupe sincerely wants you to succeed, and there are resources available for you to succeed. So, if you’re struggling, talk to someone. Even if the person you talking to can’t help you directly, they will connect you with the right person. Remember Arrupe’s values and mission. They mean what they said.