March 23, 2015
Barely into her second semester at Vanderbilt, freshman Jennifer Edobi has already shown flashes of brilliance on the track. She ranks second on the school’s all-time indoor track performers list in the 400 meters and third on the 4×400 relay. The medicine, health and society major also plays the guitar and sings at her church back home in Union, N.J. She has dual citizenship in Nigeria, where both her parents were born. In 2003, when she was seven, she and her three brothers went to Nigeria and lived with their aunt for four years.
CN: How was your experience of living in Nigeria for four years?
Jennifer Edobi: It was fun. It is different because we went when we were younger so we appreciated it more. We had large families, lot of cousins. It felt like home. We really didn’t miss that much. This was the first time (in Nigeria). We cried the first day and then we just got used it. It was like, `OK. This is normal.’ It was fun.
Do you have a lot of family over in Nigeria?
Yeah, definitely. A lot of them stayed in Lagos. A lot of them stayed in the village (Egbuoma, where her parents are from). A lot of them stayed in Warri. My aunt had three kids and then my aunts and uncles also stayed with us. We were basically 13 in one house. It was a big family.
Being there for four years, what did you learn about Nigerian culture?
My brothers and I got to learn the language (Edo) because they spoke it to us and we picked up on it. We learned how to eat a lot of Nigerian food. We got used to it and brought it back here, too, and continue to eat here in America (including garri, a mash made from an African shrub). We learned a lot of norms–how they dress, how they eat, how they talk.
So it was a pretty eye-opening experience?
Yeah, I’m definitely glad I went. I wouldn’t have known a lot about Nigeria if I didn’t go. What is a better way to know about it unless you go over there? I think it made me more grounded. I’m not quiet but I’m just calm. We went to church a lot with my family back in Nigeria and that introduced me to knowing about Jesus and God. And knowing a lot more about where I came from just makes me want to be grounded with where I am and not forget where I started. Knowing where I came from is something I’m proud of that I got to know.
This past summer you had a chance to represent your African heritage, by running in the 800 and 4×400 relay for Nigeria in the IAAF World Junior Championships in Eugene, Ore., this past summer. What was that experience like for you?
Hanging out with people from your country was like a taste of home again. We were there for 10 days. It was really fun. They became your family after a couple days. It was life-changing. It was a new experience and a lot of talent out there. The fact they wanted us on their team was just surprising and amazing at the same time. I’m glad I did it. It was a taste of reality (with all the talent at the meet). It made me want to work even harder to be just as good or even better.
You’re a medicine, health and society major. Any particular reason why?
Jennifer Edobi: My dad is a nurse and my mom is a nurse, too. I’ve always wanted to be a doctor since I was little because I love math and science. I wanted to help people and make a difference.
You play the guitar and sing with your brother, Kris (14), at your church back home?
My brother is too shy so he only sings and plays with me at home. Then I’d sing special numbers at church. But then he would only sing with me when I’m at home in our room if we’re bored. Hopefully he gets brave enough to sing. He can sing. He has a nice voice. Whenever I sing, I feel like I’m filled with (the Lord’s) presence so I just love to sing. It is a feeling you only get when you praise God.
When did you start playing the guitar and how did you pick you it up?
When I was 14. Someone in our church group literally gave me his guitar and started teaching me how to play. He made me keep his guitar. I learned it in a month or so and that is how I started playing. Even though I don’t play it a lot here at school I feel like I can jump right in when I go back home. It is part of me now.