Tracy Oshonwoh came to Chicago with plans to become a doctor. An unfortunate turn of events led her to CSI where she’s found a new passion.
Imagine having years of school under your belt only for your hard work to be taken away in an instant. Tracy Oshonwoh was on the path to becoming a physician. She came to the US to complete her clinical rotations. Then her medical school shut down and suddenly, that plan was gone.
Tracy had been pursuing her medical degree in the Caribbean and came to Chicago to take the next step in her clinical training. When her school closed without warning, she was left in an uncertain situation. Her immigration status was up in the air, her education was disrupted, and she had to make the choice whether to return to the Caribbean, go home to Nigeria, or stay in the U.S.. “It was a frightening time,” she said. “I spent months trying to figure out what my future would look like.”
A friend introduced Tracy to CSI. It started as a way for her to figure out her next steps while she worked on transferring to another medical school but became an unexpected turning point. “What began as a practical solution quickly became so much more,” she said. “CSI became the one constant in my life that kept me grounded.”
Exploring Her Creative Side
After spending so much time focusing on medicine Tracy went in a completely different direction and enrolled in CSI’s Digital Multimedia Concentration. What she learned has reminded her about a part of herself she’d forgotten about, “It gave me the opportunity to pursue something I had quietly wanted for a long time, the chance to develop skills outside of medicine and explore my creative side,” she said.
She enrolled in classes at CSI’s Chicago campus, where she initially attended in person classes. When the program later transitioned to a hybrid schedule, she was able to do many of her classes via Zoom in addition to in-person immersions. This new schedule helped lighten the load of her demanding schedule.
While taking classes, Tracy has discovered a genuine enthusiasm for copywriting, website design, and content creation. She’d love to find a position doing all of those things when she pursues OPT in the near future.
Finding Balance
Tracy was lucky enough to be able to enroll in another medical school which meant she was doing the two programs simultaneously. Her biggest challenge has been balancing her clinical rotations with the digital multimedia program. She tries to give her best as a student in both programs, “It was not always easy,” she said, “but it taught me valuable lessons about time management, discipline, and knowing when to pause and recharge.”
She came up with a system to get everything done. This included creating a schedule, setting reminders, and finding time to rest when she needs it. Tracy’s study tips are along those same lines. She advises students to identify the topics and concepts giving you trouble, and revisit them at least twice a week until they stick.
When not studying, Tracy has enjoyed meeting classmates from countries around the world, “One of my favorite parts of being a student at CSI has been meeting people from different cultures while learning valuable new skills,” she said.
Tracy shares that she won an iPad through CSI’s student referral program. With her workload, the timing was perfect, “It was an exciting surprise,” she said, “and I’ve found it incredibly useful for my coursework.”
Beyond the program itself, Tracy is enjoying Chicago. The campus’s location in the heart of the city turned out to be its own kind of education. She has discovered affordable shops, cafes, and restaurants in the neighborhoods around campus, and found that exploring the city became one of her favorite things to do. She also enjoys watching movies and reading.
Tracy’s family is still in Nigeria, but they support her from overseas, “They have always been incredibly supportive of my goals and have encouraged me every step of the way,” she said.
The Best School for International Students
Tracy has direct advice to anyone considering CSI, “Go for it. It is a very good program that keeps you grounded and teaches you more than you’d ever expect.”
Although she came to Chicago to become a doctor, CSI has taught her that she has a passion for creativity. She’ll be graduating from both programs soon and hopes to combine the two fields. She may end up as a writer or an influencer on medical topics.
Despite the challenges, Tracy says CSI was there when she needed it most, “CSI was more than just another school. It gave me stability during one of the most uncertain periods of my life, helped me discover new passions, and reminded me that growth can happen even when life doesn’t go according to plan.”
If you’re facing uncertainty, CSI might be the way to help you get back on your feet. Contact our staff through the form on this page and we’ll be happy to see what we can do to help.
