Describe your major Multidisciplinary Engineering?

Multidisciplinary Engineering is for students that are interested in many topics but don't want to specialize in just one. It's a good avenue for students that want to study more than one subject. It can also be more specialized than other engineering majors. For example, I'm focusing on Acoustic engineering, which is a combination of some engineering majors that already exist except it's more narrow and focused.

Why did you choose your major, and what are you doing with your major?

I chose my major because of my love for music. It's something that has saved me countless times in my life, especially when I was at my lowest point. Music is my life and it's something that I know other people love as well. What I ultimately want to do with my major is become a producer. However, while I'm doing that, I also want to become a professor in the first Music Engineering major at a major public school in the U.S. Not enough students in inner-city schools get the opportunity to pursue music as a career outside of being a musician. There are so many opportunities within the music industry that many people don't talk about. I want to make those opportunities a reality, so it's not just about the networks you make, but also about your talent and dedication.

What do you value in having 1000+ organizations on campus?

I value the organizations on campus because it's an escape from the academics at Purdue. As a well-rounded student, one needs to not only be involved in extracurricular activities, but also you have to find your place where you feel the most comfortable. For me, with the rigor that comes with engineering at Purdue, my organizations have helped me stay sane.

What is ASA?

ASA is a place where African students or those who are directly from Africa can come together and share with common cultures. Coming from a Nigerian family in the U.S., ASA allowed me to share experiences, as well as learn from international students of various African backgrounds that come to Purdue. ASA also bridges the gaps between other circles to help students recruit, observe, and learn how they interact.

How much commitment does it take?

I go to every large ASA event around 5 or 6 times a semester. It requires some commitment, but it's not necessarily demanding as long as you're not in an executive position. But you should still participate to keep up with the events and what's going on in the organization.

How does ASA help students meet new people?

In ASA, you meet a lot of people that aren't always out and about. Unfortunately, you don't get to meet many other Africans at Purdue, so ASA allows you to meet students and branch out into other clubs as well.

How do you balance school work and extracurricular activities?

I don't have a hard time balancing ASA, except when it comes to other organizations. In fact, a lot of other African students are in engineering and managing time in other organizations as well.

What does ASA mean to you?

Being 100% Nigerian, ASA played a large part in solidifying how I feel culture-wise. Coming to Purdue made me homesick, mainly because I'm from Atlanta where finding other Africans is easier. ASA allowed me to remake that connection I had back at home, and talk to others that shared that same childhood. The food is also great, especially when you're eating foods you grew up with at home.

What does ASA teach students?

ASA teaches you to accept other cultures. In ASA you get the opportunity to broaden your horizons and thinking. For some, you're immersed in another culture that isn't your own, or a combination of some.

What are some other things that ASA does?

ASA engages in a lot of other activities, including performances for groups all over the midwest. African Global Night is an example of that, It connects students that visit from other colleges, and even connects students that host events at their own. It makes ASA more than just one small organization, which I thought was really cool.

Advice for incoming students?

Don't be afraid to join ASA even if you're not African. Embrace the culture! There's a lot you can learn, and wanting to learn is very important because you never know what bonds you can make. It's helped me make long-lasting connections, for instance, I still have people here I've known since freshman year. I also met my frat brothers through ASA, and a few of them were a part of ASA before me. So I'm very grateful for that.