From Lagos Roots to Pediatric Care Dreams
Hi! My name is Alex. I’m a 17-year-old Nigerian Canadian who currently lives in British Columbia. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, I immigrated to Canada with my family in 2014, a transition that deeply shaped my cultural identity. While English is the primary language spoken in my household, my parents often converse with their friends in Igbo, which has helped me stay connected to my Nigerian heritage.
I’m a recent high school graduate who plans to attend nursing school in the fall, although I aspire to earn my master’s degree in pediatric or psychiatric nursing as well. I love all aspects of cognitive and social psychology, especially how psychological development shows up in adolescence. I find those stages of life to be both deeply complex and interesting. Additionally, I am also fascinated by how the physiology of the body works in accordance with psychology. The way the mind and body influence each other so yet intriguing, and it’s something I find myself thinking about often. I adore learning, especially when I’m given the opportunity to learn from others, as this helps enhance my emotional intelligence and makes me more aware of the world around me.
In addition to my personal aspirations, I’m a Digital Content Curator at the Pacific Canada Heritage Centre (PCHC). I truly enjoy this role, as I get to collaborate closely with my fellow intern Javier and our supervisor Nafisa. We’ve become a great team. Together, we work on several creative projects which include interviews, video editing, and article writing. It’s a role that allows me to use both my creativity and communication skills while also learning from others in the process.
I’ve also been working as a tutor for children with cognitive and learning differences since 2023. This job has not only helped me sharpen my critical thinking, but it has also allowed me to form meaningful connections with the kids I work with, which is something I take seriously. I genuinely care about them. In my experience, children are much more complex than adults give them credit for, and I believe that’s largely due to how often their learning styles are misunderstood. Due to my age, I am able to bridge the gap in communication between adolescents and adults in their lives. That kind of connection has taught me a lot about patience, empathy, and being adaptable in different situations.
Additionally, I’ve been involved in a variety of community projects that align with the things I care about. I was a leader in the A&A Writing Club, which focused on helping Black youth publish short stories that they created themselves. It was such an inspiring space, and I loved seeing everyone’s imagination come to life. I was also an active member of the Leadership Executive Organization (LEO) Club, where I volunteered with different organizations and participated in school-based projects all across the Greater Vancouver Area. Through those roles, I got to support my community while also learning about leadership, teamwork, and what it means to be of service.
While my goals and education are important to me, I also make time for hobbies and activities that bring me joy. I love to crochet and have become quite good at it over the years. I’ve made scarves, little bags, and some pretty unique pieces that I’m proud of. I also adore listening to music. There’s something really magical about a song when you can tell that the production was done with true intention. It can often feel angelic and greatly enhances the shared experience of listening to music. In addition to music, I’m also an avid fiction reader. Even though most of the novels I read have surreal or made-up elements, the emotions and motivations the characters express are always so humane and relatable. I love how stories can be so different from real life, yet still make you feel seen.
Lastly, the part of myself that I cherish the most is my connection with my closest friends. The company one chooses to keep is the most accurate reflection of who they truly are and I am proud to be a reflection of mine. My friends have helped me grow so much emotionally, and they continue to help me grow every day. Of course, with deep care comes a lot of responsibility, and as Edgar Allan Poe once said, “I was never really insane except on occasions where my heart was touched.” That quote perfectly describes my behavior when I’m truly comfortable with people such as my friends. But through communication and emotional intelligence, our friendships continue to deepen in ways that are meaningful and lasting.
