Meet Zimare Ra Samah

Zamire is a 3rd year Naturopathic Medicine student at Bastyr University. He is originally from Togo, and he was introduced to me by another student who lives in the same campus building as him. 

I also attended the same program at Bastyr as an international student. This is why Zamire and I quickly bonded over our shared experiences. As it was for me at the beginning of my Bastyr Journey, Zamire struggles with the feeling of not belonging here, especially when facing racism from White people, and nativism from White and African American people. I could then feel his pain, his nostalgia, his isolation, and his need for a sense of belonging. I was also able to witness through his words his pride for his country, his upbringing, his family, religious and moral values, and his desire to go back home one day to help his people.