After earning her Master’s in Public Health in the United Kingdom, Caroline sought greater academic challenges. Pursuing a Doctor of Public Health in the United States turned out to be more demanding than she expected, from securing a fully funded scholarship, to proving strong home ties at the embassy, and paying her SEVIS fee, the journey kept her on her toes.
Today, Caroline wants to tackle infectious diseases, with special consideration to HBV infection, and to design, implement, and influence policies that will bring positive change in northern Nigeria.
What inspired you to pursue a Doctor of Public Health?
I grew up in a local community where basic health amenities have been a challenge, and many people died of communicable diseases that could have been prevented in the developed world. This stirred my desire to bring positive change to my local community and motivated me to study a health-related course, specifically Medical Laboratory Science.
My degree in MLS gave me a solid foundation in understanding the biological and diagnostic aspects of health. Post graduation and during my internship year, I was fully introduced to the public health space through a local NGO. Right then, I told myself that is the field I would like to build my career path in because public health is a wide field that would allow me to make a more prominent impact beyond the laboratory bench.
Post-internship and during my NYSC year, I volunteered with a local public health NGO, after which I was privileged to gain full employment with the organization. That opened the door for me to work with other local and international public health organizations in different capacities for seven years. While on the job, I realized that for me to gain more momentum, grow to a higher level in the field, and make a more global impact and be more relevant to my society, I needed to earn a higher degree in public health.
So, I picked up the challenge and pursued an MPH program. Toward the end of my MPH program, I saw the need to gain advanced practical knowledge and skills in implementing public health programs, designing interventions, and influencing policies that will bring positive change, especially in my local community. This led me to pursue Dr.PH degree.
What’s your long-term public health goal?
I have worked in the public health space for seven years in Nigeria, and during this time, I have seen the current challenges in our public health system, particularly in the area of infectious diseases, specifically Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which has been very endemic yet not given enough attention.
A lot of attention and funding have been directed towards issues like TB and HIV/AIDS; however, many people in Nigeria, particularly in Northern Nigeria, are not fully aware of this deadly disease until it becomes life-threatening.
This led me to desire for an advanced public health degree. During my Dr.PH, I will be working with an infectious disease expert and collaborating with the Nigerian government to develop a model that can be used to detect the spread of Hepatitis B in 3 northern states of Nigeria and to design effective preventive strategies.
Post-graduation, my long-term goal is to use the knowledge gained to tackle infectious diseases, with special consideration to HBV infection, and to design, implement, and influence policies that will bring positive change to underserved populations. I also plan to establish a local NGO that will create awareness, educate people about HBV, and provide free diagnostic HBsAg tests. I believe the first steps toward a hepatitis-free society are prevention and early diagnosis.
How did you find Pay4Me?
I found out about Pay4Me through X.
What were your biggest concerns before your SEVIS fee payment?
I was confused about how to go about the SEVIS payment because I didn’t really have anyone close to me in the US. I tried to pay via Western Union through my bank but was unsuccessful. I reached out to someone hosting education support in the US via his WhatsApp group platform (name withheld). He told me to pay $100 as part of the interest. I was down and thinking about what to do before I came across a post on X about Pay4Me. I gave it a try, and it was the best decision ever.
How did the Pay4Me mock visa session help you prepare for your interview?
Aside from God and a few people around me, I attribute my F1 visa success to the Pay4Me mock visa session. I vividly remember the first time I joined, Mr. Ernest asked me a question that completely threw me off balance and confused me at the same time, lol. But right then and there, I knew this was the best place to be.
Prior to joining the mock interview preparation, I was very worried about the home ties because my interview would not be in my home country. I watched a lot of YouTube videos, yet I couldn’t find what I was looking for because most videos focus on interviews conducted in one’s home country and how to prepare for them.
After my first experience with the mock interview preparation session and speaking to Mr. Ernest, I gained confidence and momentum to approach the visa officer with boldness. I also learned a lot from others during the interview preparation.
Mr. Ernest is not just a coach; he is everything you need to make your interview successful. He single-handedly mentors everyone in the group beyond the weekly sessions. This is something I have not seen done anywhere else. Even after my visa interview, he continued to follow up with support and guidance.
Were there ways Pay4Me went out of their way to help you with your study abroad preparations?
The Pay4Me team went far beyond my expectations in helping me prepare for my F1 interview. The mock session coach, Mr. Ernest, was incredible, his level of professionalism is top-notch. Aside from the rich weekly mock sessions, he offered personalized mentorship, helping with individual stories that linked academic background, work experience, home ties, and career goals.
He also provided guidance on how best to fill out the DS-160 form to ensure everything aligned. Additionally, he provided motivation and the latest information needed throughout the process. Mr. Ernest didn’t just coach us during the scheduled sessions but continued to offer guidance and support even after my visa interview. This level of commitment is something I have not seen anywhere else. The group environment also allowed me to learn from others’ experiences, which was very helpful.
How did you get funding for this program?
Before applying to any school, I conducted my research to identify schools that likely offer funding, either fully funded scholarships or through Graduate Assistantships (GA). I then applied to those schools. I also reached out to some professors whose work aligned with my interests before applying to ask if they were accepting new students for the upcoming session.
How did you articulate your intent to return home during your visa interview?
I particularly tied it to the current challenges in my field, my post-graduation plans, my long-term career goals, and my family ties back home. I feel like every answer should be linked by how it will help your home country. However, that solely depends on the individual’s story and how best one can present it to the visa officer.
Were you worried about proving your home ties?
Yes, I was very worried, particularly about the issue of home ties, looking at the fact that my interview was not going to take place in my home country. But after joining the Pay4Me mock interview, I gained more courage and confidence to face the visa officer during my interview.
What would you say to other students who shared a similar location experience with you?
I would say to other students in a similar situation: don’t let the location of your interview discourage you. Prepare thoroughly, seek out resources like Pay4Me’s mock sessions, and build your confidence. Remember, your story, your goals, and your ties to your home country are what truly matter to the visa officer. Stay focused, be honest, and approach the interview with boldness, you can succeed no matter where your interview takes place.
What would you tell prospective international students who want to make payments abroad?
Always use trusted and secure payment methods when making payments abroad. It’s important to research all available options carefully and, if possible, seek recommendations from others who have successfully made similar payments. Avoid unofficial or risky channels to prevent scams or lost funds. Additionally, consider using services like Pay4Me, which offer guidance and support throughout the payment process, plus free interview mock sessions with my reliable coach.
‘’When I was confused and almost got scammed, Pay4Me came through for me and provided an incredible and reliable experience I will never forget. I highly recommend Pay4Me for your study abroad payments and visa interview preparation."
