A transfer student from Bronx Community College, Elhadj Barry is drawing on a lifelong love of learning as he explores Brown's Open Curriculum with the goal of impacting health care infrastructure in Guinea, where he was born.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] - Ever since Elhadj Barry injured his leg as a young child, he knew what he wanted to do when he grew up.
His small village in the West African country of Guinea lacked health care infrastructure. Barry's mother helped treat his injury, but it eventually worsened to the point where he had to travel to the capital, Conakry, to seek proper medical care.
"Since then - and I was very little - I had decided I want to change the health care system in my community, in the village where I was born, and the entire country," he said. "It's always been my primary goal."
As a transfer student from Bronx Community College now enrolled his first semester at Brown through the Resumed Undergraduate Education program, Barry, 28, hopes to harness his lifelong love of learning to do just that.
"[My parents] told me that they regret that they didn't get the chance to go to school," he said. "They always encouraged me to go to school, never give up and always learn, learn, learn."
Barry is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. His village had no school, but his family's dedication to education was unwavering, and they concentrated their efforts on Barry's academic future and supported him throughout his studies in Guinea. Seeking more opportunities, Barry's uncle entered an immigration process for his family to join him in the U.S.
