The Online Reflector

Business administration major and senior Briella Horimbere’s life changed forever in her first year as an international student at the University of Indianapolis.

Fresh from her home country of Burundi in January of 2010, Horimbere was excited to see the United States, a country she had always been curious about.

She also wanted to learn English and attend UIndy but did not know her life would soon change drastically. Shortly after her arrival on American soil, Horimbere discovered she was pregnant.

“I was so scared. I didn’t know if I was going to make it alone or in school,” Horimbere said.

Coming from Bujumbura, Burundi, a country bordered by Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania in Africa, Horimbere described her city as a lot smaller than Indianapolis. However, Horimbere also had previously traveled and lived abroad in Greece and China. Besides her native language Kirundi, she learned Chinese, French and English. However, she had never faced a life experience quite like the one she faced this year.

Determined not to give up and to graduate from college, she still continued to take classes full-time.

“When I started getting morning sickness, I would get up three hours before my 8 o’clock class so that I would be ready to go,” Horimbere said.

Being away from her family was difficult, but she didn’t let it defeat her. She didn’t have a car, or family members to call on for help.

Sometimes, she even yearned to be back at home in the war-torn country of Burundi.

“I didn’t feel as safe or secure as I would have if I were in my country,” Horimbere said. “We are surrounded by war, but you just get so used to it that you don’t even notice, and I felt more afraid here than I would have back home.”

To add to her insecurities, going to her doctor’s appointments was an experience she described as unforgettable.

“They kept telling me of all the bad things that could happen to me or my baby, and I would always have to sign a million papers saying that if something happened I couldn’t sue them. We don’t have anything like that in Burundi, they only speak of the good things,” Horimbere said.

At 28 weeks, the doctors checked her for gestational diabetes for which she tested positive. She was so thankful for this because in her country, they would never have checked unless she had had diabetes previously.

She gave birth to her daughter, Johanna, in September, and Horimbere’s fiance was with her every step of the way, despite the oceans separating them. The hospital allowed her to set up Skype, an internet calling service, so that they could be together through the entire event.

Horimbere continued attending classes shortly after giving birth. Although her family couldn’t be in attendance for Johanna’s birth, but Horimbere continues to talk with them on Skype daily.

Horimbere plans to graduate, become a systems analyst and move to a country other than the United States. She described life in other countries as less stressful.

“Life is easier [away from the United States]. There are less rules and stress, and I feel like I have a better chance to not fail and lead a more secure life,” Horimbere said.

Horimbere continues to lead the not-so-average life of an international student and mother.

“The most rewarding thing about having my baby is that you have someone else that is yours forever,” Horimbere said. “It’s not like a relationship that can break up. She’s my child, and I will always love and have her.”