"It is important to always give back," says commerce grad

by Dianne George

Adu-Febiri

Finding a way to give back to the community is a major theme in the life of Evelyn Adu-Febiri, a new bachelor of commerce grad who specializes in international business. Emigrating with her family to B.C. from Ghana as a five-year-old helped shape her commitment to the practice of volunteering.

"I believe it is important to always give back," explains Adu-Febiri. "If you have certain skills then you have a responsibility to help others out and give of yourself when you can."

While studying at UVic, she's held down a part-time job, acted as a mentor and peer helper to the Intercultural Association's immigrant youth group and found time to be part of the African/Caribbean Students' Association. As well, she's participated in an academic exchange and a co-op work experience in Singapore—all while maintaining a level of scholastics that ensured she would graduate with distinction.

"It is an incredible feeling to know you're actually impacting people and making a difference just by the way you live your life or by what you're doing," says Adu-Febiri. "It's inspiring to know that others might do something because you've done it, and that it can be done.

"I especially like volunteering with youth—that's the group I love to work with the most—because you can totally influence them, change the course of their life just by the advice you give and by spending time with them. I remember how hard it was to fit into a new culture, learn a new language, and adjust to the weather."

Following graduation, Adu-Febiri plans to earn a chartered accountant's designation and work in finance. Eventually, she might start her own business.