Former COD Student Hopes to Bring Change and Give Back to Her Native Country

After completing medical school, former College of DuPage student Tsige Gebreslasse is planning to return to Ethiopia, her birth country, to serve people and bring about change.

Born and raised in the small town of Nebelet in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, Gebreslasse, with the help of her older brother, came to the U.S. with her younger brother in 2005 at the age of 16.

"When my parents told me we were going to the U.S., I didn't even know what the U.S. was," said Gebreslasse. "I came here knowing no English and started with children's books from the library, making lists of words to memorize."

While Gebreslasse started as a freshman at Wheaton North high school, she quickly discovered that the material was too simple and despite only just learning to speak English, she tested out of the 9th grade and entered the second semester as a junior. After graduating in 2007, she spent the summer between high school and college preparing for and earning her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licensure, a credential she said enabled her to earn money while pursuing an education.

Gebreslasse enrolled at College of DuPage and attended as a student while earning her living as a CNA. She earned an A.S. in Biological Sciences at COD and went on to earn a B.S. in Biology from Wheaton College. She is currently in her third year as a medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago.

She said she is pleased with her experiences at College of DuPage.

"I loved my time at COD," she said. "It was a great start at my own pace and provided an education that has been a wonderful foundation for everything I've learned since then. I also experienced undergraduate research opportunities that I don't think I would have received anywhere else."

Gebreslasse said the hands-on lab work as well as the supportive faculty and staff were particularly helpful.

"The practical elements taught in the lab at COD were things I'd never seen; in my home country, it was all theory," she said. "In particular, Chemistry professor Richard Jarman was very helpful. He introduced me to research, helped set me up with my first paid internship at Illinois State University and connected me with STEM Engine, an undergraduate research collaborative that helped me connect with a variety of four-year colleges. COD Counselor Mike Duggan has also been supportive of me and really opened doors. He believed in me and guided me through everything. I don't think I would have received that support and opportunity at any other school."

Gebreslasse said that while not well-educated, her mother taught her early on about the importance of a good education.

"When you've earned an education and in the process learned how to think critically and intelligently, no one can take that from you," she said. "It is yours for life."

This December, she plans to serve a one-month medical rotation in General/Trauma Surgery at the Black Lion Hospital in Addis Abeba in Ethiopia. The trip is in support of her long-term goal of returning permanently to Ethiopia after completing her medical residency in the U.S. Upon her return to Ethiopia, she hopes to help combat the HIV/Aids epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa and work in the Department of Medical Education.

"Everything I do is to prepare me to go back and help," she said. "Doing an early rotation will help me decide what area of medicine I should specialize in and understand how the health system works in Ethiopia and whether or not I will be able to function in that system. Being there in person is the only way to make connections and truly experience Ethiopian healthcare."

Gebreslasse said that while she has had an interest in science and medicine since she was a child, she was also drawn to teaching. She chose medicine because of the variety of opportunities to make an impact it offered.

"Medicine enables me to do several things at once," she said. "I can teach, treat patients and advocate for them. Doctors are also highly respected in society and that status gives them greater opportunity to bring about change."

She said her motivation to return to Ethiopia is simple.

"I want to serve and I have the opportunity to make a real difference," she said. "It's difficult to bring about change in the U.S. because the founding fathers here laid out the foundation so well. By comparison, Ethiopia is in its infancy and there is opportunity for intelligent, passionate and interested people to make change and work on laying out a strong foundation for the future."

Gebreslasse said the advice she would give students who are pursuing their passion is twofold.

"First, people should figure out what they are passionate about, ask themselves why they are passionate about it, write their answers down and review and restate them often," she said. "Next, they should identify a mentor and supporters to surround yourself with. It also helps to volunteer in the field and serve internships so you can see what it's really like."

She said that there is an additional factor for those who wish to serve through medicine.

"You have to love humanity," she said. "You will meet with people who are at their most vulnerable and must trust you with their live and hold you accountable. Healthcare providers must be aware of the depth of that responsibility."