International student Kayele Silue from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa, is preparing to graduate this spring from Case Western Reserve with a degree in finance. Kayele attended the African Leadership Academy (ALA) for high school, where she heard about CWRU from her guidance counselor. Through ALA’s host family program, she became connected with Lisa Kollins, a CWRU staff member.
We reached out to Kayele as she’s wrapping up her semester remotely, to ask her a few questions about studying in the Weatherhead School of Management and how CWRU helped her adjust to attending school in the United States.
How were you connected with CWRU’s Lisa Kollins?
“I expressed interest in the ALA’s host family program because I wanted someone to occasionally turn to when I arrived. Lisa introduced me to members of her family, whom I also became very close to and even stayed with at times. We have celebrated birthdays together, they have spoken with my parents and I really consider them as my family. Even now that I am studying remotely, I stay in contact with Lisa and her family, as they regularly check on me.”
What are some of the opportunities you received while studying finance in the Weatherhead School of Management?
“I’ve had numerous networking opportunities through CWRU programs, one of which was the Wall Street Trek in the fall of 2017, which allowed me to network with and learn from CWRU alumni working in finance on Wall Street. In addition, I’ve had opportunities to speak on panels with different audiences thanks to some of the staff members that know me, and saw value in letting me share bits of my story with others. This has helped me a lot with public speaking.”
Are you involved in any organizations on campus?
“I was a treasurer in the Finance Committee of the Undergraduate Diversity Collaborative (UDC). It was amazing to be trusted with real money and to work toward obtaining funding so my peers could operate their clubs. Another organization I am part of is the Student Turning Point Society. Through this organization, I was able to attend exclusive events and network with important stakeholders of the university.”
As you reflect on four years at CWRU, what has made your time here feel the most special?
“I found the professors and staff to be very approachable, kind and helpful, and this has stayed consistent with all departments I have come in contact with. That has made a big difference in my experience at CWRU as it helped me feel supported and understood.”
Kayele will start in the master's program in the Weatherhead School of Management this fall.